Korea's ICT exports for May hit all-time high amid AI chip demand: data

South Korea's ICT exports hit a record $47.79 billion in May, surging 128.9% year-on-year, driven by soaring semiconductor demand linked to AI investments. Semiconductor exports alone rose 169.2% to $37.16 billion, while computer and SSD shipments more than tripled. The data underscores Korea's pivotal role in the global AI supply chain.

Korea's exports of information and communication technology ICT products posted the highest monthly figure on record in May, driven by demand for semiconductors and other products related to the artificial intelligence AI ecosystem, data showed Sunday. Outbound ICT shipments reached $47.79 billion last month, a surge of 128.9 percent from $20.88 billion a year earlier, according to the data from the Ministry of Science and ICT. This marks the first time that monthly ICT exports have exceeded the $40 billion mark for three consecutive months, the ministry said. Imports rose 36 percent on-year to $15.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $32.09 billion in the sector. By product, semiconductor exports soared 169.2 percent on-year to $37.16 billion, supported by continued investments in AI servers as well as an increase in memory chip prices, the ministry said. Shipments of computers and related equipment more than tripled from a year earlier to $4.33 billion, reflecting rising demand for solid-state drives SSDs used in AI data centers. Smartphone exports also jumped a solid 15.9 pe