South Korea posted export figures approaching $100 billion last month.

Semiconductors, the country's flagship export, drove overall exports with a record-high performance.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced today (Sept. 1) that exports in August reached $98.25 billion, an increase of 68.7% compared to the same month last year.

This marks the 3rd highest performance on record.

The record high was $102 billion in June, followed by $99 billion in July.

Although total exports in August decreased slightly compared to July, semiconductor exports surged by 209.0% to $46.65 billion, breaking the all-time record.

As a result, semiconductor exports have exceeded $40 billion for three consecutive months.

The trade balance in August recorded a surplus of $34.75 billion, maintaining a surplus of over $30 billion for the third consecutive month.

The cumulative trade surplus from January to August stood at $202.5 billion, an increase of $162.2 billion compared to the same period last year.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan evaluated, "August exports maintained their upward momentum by posting a strong performance of over $90 billion," adding, "While the strong semiconductor trend continues, exports in sectors other than semiconductors also recorded a high growth rate of 20%, which is positive in terms of broadening the base of our exports."

(Photo: Yonhap News)