S. Korea's first-half ICT exports reach record high on AI-driven demand

South Korea's ICT exports hit a record high of $253.9 billion in the first half of the year, driven by surging global demand for AI technologies, the Ministry of Science and ICT reported. Semiconductor exports soared 162.5% to $192.4 billion, fueled by AI chip demand and higher memory chip prices, while computer and communications equipment exports surged 233.8% on increased SSD exports for AI infrastructure.

S. Korea's first-half ICT exports reach record high on AI-driven demand South Korea's exports of information and communication technology ICT products reached a record high for the first half of the year, fueled by surging global demand for artificial intelligence AI technologies, according to government data released on Tuesday, Qazinform News Agency https://qazinform.com/ cites Yonhap https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260714002900320 . The Ministry of Science and ICT said in a press release that ICT exports totaled 253.9 billion US dollars between January and June, marking a 120.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year. During the six-month period, ICT imports rose 31.3 percent year over year to 93.2 billion US dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of 160.7 billion US dollars. Semiconductors remained the key driver of export growth, with shipments soaring 162.5 percent to 192.4 billion US dollars. The ministry attributed the increase to strong global demand for AI chips and higher memory chip prices. Exports of computers and communications equipment surged 233.8 percent, surpassing 20 billion US dollars for the first time in the January-June period. The ministry said the growth was largely supported by increased exports of solid-state drives SSDs used in AI infrastructure. Mobile phone exports climbed 38 percent from a year earlier, while display exports posted a modest 3.8 percent increase. By market, exports to China and Hong Kong rose a combined 141 percent year over year. Shipments to Vietnam increased 74.5 percent, while exports to the United States surged 215.6 percent. In June alone, South Korea exported 57.3 billion US dollars worth of ICT products despite ongoing uncertainty stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. The country also recorded a monthly ICT trade surplus of 39.1 billion US dollars, the highest ever reported for a single month, according to the ministry. Earlier, Qazinform https://qazinform.com/ reported South Korea unveils https://qazinform.com/news/south-korea-unveils-518-billion-plan-for-new-semiconductor-hub-3bcac5 a $518 billion plan for a new semiconductor hub.