South Korea’s exports jumped 52.6% year-over-year during the first 20 days of May, highlighting the continued strength of global AI-driven demand.
The sharp increase was led by semiconductor shipments, which surged 202% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Korea Customs Service.
Exports of computers, AI infrastructure components, and fuel products also posted strong gains as demand for advanced computing and data center expansion accelerated worldwide.
South Korea, home to some of the world’s largest chipmakers, is increasingly viewed as a key beneficiary of the global artificial intelligence investment cycle.
The latest data reinforces expectations that semiconductor demand remains one of the strongest pillars supporting Asian exports and the broader global tech sector in 2026.