South Korea's Exports Hit Record $709.4 Billion Driven by AI Chip Demand

South Korea's total exports reached $709.4 billion since the beginning of 2026, surpassing the previous annual record of $709.3 billion set in 2025, according to data from the Korea Customs Service cited by Reuters. The surge is primarily attributed to the high demand for semiconductors fueled by the global AI boom. Between January and August, semiconductor exports grew by 169.6% year-on-year to $281 billion, accounting for 41% of the nation's total exports. Major manufacturers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have benefited significantly from rising memory