Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon) announced on June 15, 2026, that Korea’s ICT exports in May 2026 reached USD 47.8 billion, up 128.9 percent year-on-year from $20.9 billion. Imports rose 36.0 percent from $11.5 billion to $15.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $32.1 billion.

In May 2026, ICT exports topped $40.0 billion for a third straight month for the first time, despite the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, and reached record highs in both export value and year-on-year growth rate. The ICT trade surplus also topped $30.0 billion for the first time. ICT products accounted for more than half, or 54.5 percent, of Korea’s total exports, which stood at $87.8 billion, reinforcing ICT’s role as a key driver of Korea’s exports.

By product, exports increased across all major categories: semiconductors (up 169.2 percent), mobile phones (up 15.9 percent), displays (up 2.8 percent), computers and peripherals (up 259.6 percent), and telecommunications equipment (up 3.7 percent).

Semiconductor exports stayed above $30.0 billion for a third straight month, supported by continued export growth amid sustained investment in AI servers. Display exports returned to growth on higher demand for OLED panels used in new mobile phone models and solid sales of new laptop models. Mobile phone exports increased as average selling prices rose for high-end finished products and demand remained solid for high-value parts, including camera modules. Computers and peripherals posted record highs for a fourth consecutive month, supported by higher exports of semiconductor-based storage devices, including solid-state drives (SSDs) used in AI servers. Telecommunications equipment exports also increased on solid demand for components shipped to Vietnam and automotive equipment shipped to Mexico.

By destination, exports increased in all major markets: the United States (up 254.3 percent), China, including Hong Kong (up 157.3 percent), the European Union (up 53.9 percent), Taiwan (up 95.5 percent), Vietnam (up 90.8 percent), India (up 56.0 percent), and Japan (up 33.2 percent).

ICT imports totaled $15.7 billion in May 2026, up 36.0 percent from $11.5 billion a year earlier, as imports increased across most major ICT categories: semiconductors (up 62.6 percent), mobile phones including parts (up 16.0 percent), and computers and peripherals (up 15.5 percent).