South Korean trade data revealed strong performance during September's initial three weeks, with overseas shipments climbing 13.5 percent compared to the previous year. The Korea Customs Service reported total export values of $40.12 billion against $35.36 daily from the same 2024 period. Import figures reached $38.22 billion, creating a positive trade balance of $1.9 billion. However, average shipment values per working day fell 10.6 percent because September featured 3.5 additional business days. This decline reflects ongoing challenges from American tariff policies affecting Korean manufacturers.
Semiconductor sales drove export growth with a remarkable 27 percent increase, generating $9.49 billion in revenue and representing nearly one-quarter of total shipments. Vehicle exports gained 14.9 percent while maritime vessel sales surged 46.1 percent, demonstrating broad sectoral strength across key industries. Steel products rose 7.1 percent though chemical exports decreased 4.5 percent, showing mixed results among traditional manufacturing sectors. Trade with China, Seoul's largest partner, expanded modestly by 1.6 percent while American markets grew 6.1 percent despite tariff pressures reducing per-day averages by 16.4 percent.
Semiconductor sales drove export growth with a remarkable 27 percent increase, generating $9.49 billion in revenue and representing nearly one-quarter of total shipments. Vehicle exports gained 14.9 percent while maritime vessel sales surged 46.1 percent, demonstrating broad sectoral strength across key industries. Steel products rose 7.1 percent though chemical exports decreased 4.5 percent, showing mixed results among traditional manufacturing sectors. Trade with China, Seoul's largest partner, expanded modestly by 1.6 percent while American markets grew 6.1 percent despite tariff pressures reducing per-day averages by 16.4 percent.
