Exports in June surpassed USD 100 billion for the first time to set an all-time monthly record. Shown is Singamman Pier at Busan North Port in Busan's Nam-gu District. (Busan Port Authority)

By Kim Seon Ah

Exports in June surpassed the milestone of USD 100 billion for the first time in setting a monthly record high.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources in a report released on July 1 on import-export trends in June and the first half of the year said overseas shipments last month rose 70.9% year on year to USD 102.25 billion. Korea is thus just the fourth country to exceed USD 100 billion in monthly exports after Germany, China and the U.S.

Imports rose 30.1% to USD 66.1 billion over the period for a trade surplus of USD 36.15 billion, the first time for the black figure to eclipse USD 30 billion.

Semiconductors led the export boom with USD 44.82 billion last month, breaking USD 40 billion for the first time.

Computer exports skyrocketed 308.8% buoyed by expanded investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. Major items like cars, ships, cosmetics, biohealth products, and agricultural, fishery and food products also showed growth.

By market, exports to China and the U.S. each surpassed USD 20 billion, while those to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union set records.

In the first half of the year, exports rose 48.4% year on year to USD 496.7 billion, yet another record. Those of semiconductors hit USD 192.4 billion, surpassing their performance for all of last year, and those of computers also broke their annual mark.

Imports rose 16.6% to USD 258.4 billion due to factors such as higher unit prices for energy imports, but export growth exceeded this to produce a record-high trade surplus of USD 138.3 billion.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources Kim Jung-Kwan attributed the record performance to the even growth of exports of semiconductors, leading manufacturing sectors and consumer goods despite external uncertainty such as U.S. tariffs and instability in the Middle East. He also pledged to raise export competitiveness in the second half of the year through the diversification of product lines and markets.

sofiakim218@korea.kr