The proportion of exports from the top 10 conglomerates has for the first time exceeded 55%, due to the surge in semiconductor exports.

South Korea's top 10 firms' export share reached 55% of total exports for the first time due to a surge in semiconductor exports. The export volume of these firms increased by 82% compared to the same period last year, marking the highest growth rate ever recorded. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported that the country's total export revenue amounted to 2,755 billion dollars, a record high.

Among the firms, both large and small enterprises saw their exports grow, with the large firm's export reaching 2,060 billion dollars, marking the first time it crossed the 2 trillion dollar mark. Semiconductor exports constituted 75% of the top firms' exports, growing by 124.5% compared to the same period last year, totaling 1,550 billion dollars.

Medium-sized and small enterprises' exports also increased by 10.9% and 13.1% respectively, showing two-digit growth rates. Industries such as glass manufacturing, which included semiconductor exports, saw a 64.9% increase in exports. Importantly, both wholesale and retail sectors saw exports grow, with wholesale retail exports increasing by 14.3%.

Data analyst at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Hong Hyun-jeong, stated that the rise in export figures was mainly due to the semiconductor factor. As a result, the top 10 firms' trade concentration reached an all-time high of 55.3% in the second quarter. These firms account for more than half of the country's total export revenue.

The trade concentration among the top 100 firms rose to 76.3%, surpassing the previous quarter's 76.1% by 5.2%. However, the trade concentration with the Middle East declined by 14.0% due to the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. The export revenue in 2Q grew by 22.4% compared to the same period last year, reaching 1,889 billion dollars.