Information and communications technology exports in the first half of the year reached USD 115.16 billion, the second-best performance for the period in history. (Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority)

By Kim Seon Ah

Exports of information and communications technology (ICT) in the first half of the year recorded their second-best performance of all time.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Science and ICT on July 15 released data on ICT import and exports from January through last month.

The industry's overseas shipments rose 5.8% in the six-month period to USD 115.16 billion, second all-time only to USD 122.46 billion in the first half of 2022.

Imports rose 5% to USD 70.92 billion, leading to a surplus in ICT of USD 44.2 billion.

Exports last month grew 4.7% year on year to USD 22.03 billion, while imports rose 14% to USD 12.41 billion. This led to a surplus of USD 9.62 billion.

By item, semiconductors saw an export rise of 11.4%, mobile phones 9.1%, and computers and peripherals 10.8%, while displays fell 13.9% and communications equipment 2.5%.

Exports to Taiwan (89.6%), the U.S. (14.5%) and Vietnam (10%) saw strong growth, but declines were seen in China (11.5%) and the European Union (2.7%).

sofiakim218@korea.kr