South Korea Exports Jump 78.3% in Early September to Record High

South Korean export value reached $71.4 billion in the first 20 days of September, up 78.3% from the same period a year earlier and the strongest pace on record.

This marks the fifth consecutive month with growth of at least 50%. When adjusted for working-day differences, exports rose 89.8% year-on-year, accelerating from a 61.5% increase in the same period of August.

Semiconductors were the main driver, surging 259.4% year-on-year to a record $34.1 billion. Shipments to the United States jumped 118.0%, while exports to China increased 113.8%.