South Korea's exports showed strong performance at the beginning of this year. Exports increased sharply in January, thanks to an increase in the number of working days and strong demand for semiconductors. According to preliminary data released by South Korea's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Resources on Sunday, the export volume of Asia's fourth-largest economy increased 34% year over year to US$65.85 billion, up 13% in December last year. The surge in exports in January was within the general expectations of the market, as this year's Spring Festival holiday period was in mid-February, which added 3.5 working days to January. This increase has far exceeded expectations. The median forecast of the nine economists surveyed by the media was that exports increased 30% for the month. In January, imports increased 12% year on year to US$57.11 billion, achieving a trade surplus of US$8.74 billion. Semiconductor exports have boosted trade growth, and this share accounts for nearly a quarter of total merchandise exports in 2025. Chip exports doubled year-on-year in January to US$20.54 billion. Exports to the US and China increased 30% and 47%, respectively, in January. As this steady trade data comes out, South Korea is facing new tariff uncertainties. Earlier, US President Trump threatened to reinstate 25% tariffs on most South Korean goods last week, and just three months ago, the South Korean and US governments had just reached an agreement to reduce the tariff rate to 15%.

South Korea's exports showed strong performance at the beginning of this year. Exports increased sharply in January, thanks to an increase in the number of working days and strong demand for semiconductors. According to preliminary data released by South Korea's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Resources on Sunday, the export volume of Asia's fourth-largest economy increased 34% year over year to US$65.85 billion, up 13% in December last year. The surge in exports in January was within the general expectations of the market, as this year's Spring Festival holiday period was in mid-February, which added 3.5 working days to January. This increase has far exceeded expectations. The median forecast of the nine economists surveyed by the media was that exports increased 30% for the month. In January, imports increased 12% year on year to US$57.11 billion, achieving a trade surplus of US$8.74 billion. Semiconductor exports have boosted trade growth, and this share accounts for nearly a quarter of total merchandise exports in 2025. Chip exports doubled year-on-year in January to US$20.54 billion. Exports to the US and China increased 30% and 47%, respectively, in January. As this steady trade data comes out, South Korea is facing new tariff uncertainties. Earlier, US President Trump threatened to reinstate 25% tariffs on most South Korean goods last week, and just three months ago, the South Korean and US governments had just reached an agreement to reduce the tariff rate to 15%.