South Korea's exports neared the 100 billion-dollar mark last month.

Leading export items, particularly semiconductors, achieved record highs to drive overall exports.

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

This marks the third-highest performance on record.

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

Although total exports in August saw a slight decrease compared to July, semiconductor exports surged by 209.0% to $46.55 billion, breaking the all-time record.

As a result, semiconductor exports recorded over $40 billion for the third consecutive month.

This was driven by steady demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, fueled by capital expenditure (Capex) expansions from hyperscalers such as Google and Amazon.

Semiconductor exports this year have drawn a steep upward trajectory, recording $25.1 billion in February, $32.8 billion in March, $37.2 billion in May, and $44.8 billion in June.

Not only semiconductors, but a majority of IT items showed ultra-strong performance.

Computer exports soared by 419.5% to $6.24 billion as NAND prices, a core component of enterprise SSDs, continued their upward trend.

This is the highest monthly performance on record.

Wireless communication devices ($1.88 billion, up 21.2%) also extended their winning streak to 10 consecutive months, driven by increased sales of new mobile phone models such as the Galaxy S26, Z Fold, and Z Flip 8.

Among the 20 major export categories, exports increased in 14 sectors, achieving relatively balanced growth.

By region, seven out of the nine major export destinations showed positive results.

In particular, exports to China ($24.1 billion) and the United States ($16.5 billion), South Korea's top trading partners, increased by 119.3% and 89.3%, respectively.

The trade balance for August recorded a surplus of $34.75 billion, maintaining a surplus of over $30 billion for the third straight 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 stated, "August exports maintained an upward momentum by recording a high performance of over $90 billion," adding, "While semiconductor exports remain strong, exports of non-semiconductor items also recorded a high growth rate of 20%, which is positive as it shows the broadening base of our exports."

He continued, "Uncertainties in the trade environment faced by our companies are higher than ever, driven by intensified protectionism from major economies such as U.S. tariff policies and the European Union's steel tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), the reorganization of global supply chains, and situations in the Middle East." He added, "The government will not become complacent with the current export boom and will closely monitor how changes in the trade environment affect our companies' exports."

(Photo: Yonhap News)