South Korea’s 2025 exports reach $710 billion as chip shipments set record

South Korea’s exports totaled $710 billion in 2025, surpassing $700 billion for the first time; the government said semiconductor shipments reached a record $173 billion. December’s unadjusted exports rose 13.4% and imports 4.6%, producing a $12.2 billion surplus, while in late November the Bank of Korea kept its policy rate at 2.5%.