The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) announced on September 1 that Korea’s exports in August 2025 grew 1.3 percent year-on-year to USD 58.4 billion, while imports fell 4.0 percent to $51.9 billion. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $6.5 billion.
Daily average exports for the month, factoring in the number of working days, also rose 5.8 percent to $2.6 billion.
Despite having one fewer working day than a year earlier, August exports maintained an upward trajectory and set a monthly record for the third consecutive month.
Of Korea’s 15 major export categories, three posted growth in August. Semiconductor exports surged 27.1 percent to $15.1 billion, setting a new all-time high just two months after the previous record. This growth was driven by rising contract prices and sustained global demand from downstream industries, such as the server market.
Automobile exports rose 8.6 percent to $5.5 billion for the third consecutive month, supported by increased exports of used cars and eco-friendly vehicles, including electric and hybrid models.
Ship exports grew for the sixth straight month (up 11.8 percent to $3.1 billion), fueled by deliveries of vessels ordered in 2022 and 2023.
By region, exports increased in three out of nine major markets. Exports to ASEAN climbed 11.9 percent to $10.9 billion, the highest August figure on record and the third straight month of growth, driven by strong performance in semiconductors and ships.
Exports to CIS countries (up 9.2 percent to $1.1 billion) grew for the sixth consecutive month, while those to the Middle East edged up 1.0 percent to $1.4 billion, returning to positive growth after one month.
MOTIE Minister Kim Jung-kwan stated, “To minimize tariff impacts on small- and mid-sized companies, the ministry plans to announce and implement supportive measures in early September, focusing on three areas: ①easing burdens through short-term operation assistance and boosting domestic demand, ②diversifying export markets to sustain momentum, and ③strengthening the fundamental competitiveness of core and promising industries.”