South Korea’s first-half ICT exports hit an all-time high, supported by expanding AI demand. Semiconductors and solid-state drives (SSDs) accounted for more than 80 percent of total exports and led growth.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Monday announced “ICT export and import trends for the first half of 2026 and for June.”

First-half ICT exports totalled $253.86 billion, up 120.5 percent from a year earlier. Imports rose 31.3 percent to $93.21 billion. The trade balance posted a $160.65 billion surplus.

First-half ICT exports far exceeded the previous record of $122.46 billion set in 2022. ICT’s share of total industrial exports also rose to 51.1 percent, topping 50 percent for the first time. The first-half trade surplus also surpassed the previous annual record of $113.22 billion set in 2018 earlier than usual.

Semiconductors and SSDs account for 83.7 percent of exports

By item, semiconductor exports rose 162.5 percent from a year earlier to $192.43 billion. The increase reflected stronger memory demand and rising prices amid expanded investment in AI servers. First-half semiconductor exports also exceeded last year’s full-year exports of $173.49 billion by 10.9 percent.

Exports of computers and peripherals climbed 233.8 percent to $22.16 billion. SSD exports rose 317.5 percent to $19.94 billion, accounting for 90 percent of exports of computers and peripherals.

Mobile phone exports rose 38 percent to $8.4 billion on higher demand for high-spec finished products and high value-added parts such as camera modules. Display exports increased 3.8 percent to $9.03 billion, while communications equipment exports rose 7.3 percent to $1.24 billion.

By region, exports to China and Hong Kong rose 141 percent to $101.16 billion. Exports to the United States climbed 215.6 percent to $45.44 billion, supported by strong semiconductors and SSDs. Exports to Vietnam rose 74.5 percent to $33.24 billion, while Taiwan increased 92.5 percent to $29.68 billion. Exports to the European Union, Japan and India rose 70.1 percent, 36.3 percent and 48.6 percent, respectively.

First-half ICT imports increased across major items including semiconductors, mobile phones, and computers and peripherals. Imports of mid- to large-sized computers rose 63.7 percent to $2.85 billion to bolster AI competitiveness.

June ICT exports at $57.2 billion, a monthly record

Last month, ICT exports also topped $50 billion for the first time. June ICT exports rose 160.4 percent from a year earlier to $57.29 billion. Imports increased 46.4 percent to $18.2 billion, and the trade balance posted a $39.09 billion surplus.

On a monthly basis, ICT exports surpassed $47.79 billion in May to set a record. The trade surplus also exceeded $32.25 billion in the previous month, setting a new record high.

June semiconductor exports rose 199.4 percent to $44.82 billion. They logged a monthly record as shipments of memory for AI servers increased and prices rose. Exports of computers and peripherals climbed 284.7 percent to $5.57 billion. SSD exports rose 354.6 percent to $5.16 billion.

Display exports rose 30.3 percent to $1.68 billion, mobile phones climbed 62.5 percent to $1.28 billion, and communications equipment increased 23 percent to $240 million.

By region, exports to China and Hong Kong rose 192.4 percent to $23.08 billion. Exports to the United States climbed 246.5 percent to $10.6 billion, while Vietnam rose 109.7 percent to $6.64 billion.

June ICT imports increased across major items including semiconductors and computers and peripherals. Semiconductor imports rose 65.1 percent from a year earlier to $10.43 billion. Imports of computers and peripherals increased 50.4 percent to $1.81 billion. Mobile phones rose 56.4 percent to $1.04 billion, displays increased 17.1 percent to $500 million, and communications equipment rose 17.7 percent to $390 million.

By region, imports from China and Hong Kong rose 3.3 percent to $4.53 billion. Taiwan increased 28.6 percent to $3.15 billion, Vietnam rose 26 percent to $1.75 billion, and Japan climbed 51.3 percent to $1.68 billion. By contrast, imports from the United States fell 3.5 percent to $780 million.