{
  "id": 11072492,
  "title": "Korea's Sept. exports hit record $120.9 bil. on robust chip sales",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/koreas-sept-exports-hit-record-120-9-bil-on-robust-chip-sales",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-01T01:12:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/20261001/koreas-sept-exports-hit-record-1209-bil-on-robust-chip-sales"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korea's exports surged 83.5 percent in September to reach a record $120.9 billion, according to data released on Thursday. This remarkable growth was primarily fueled by a sharp increase in semiconductor shipments. For the first time ever, the value of semiconductor exports surpassed $60 billion in September, significantly contributing to the overall export figures.\n\nThe Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources reported that imports rose by 26 percent compared to the previous year, totaling $71.09 billion. This surge in imports led to an unprecedented trade surplus of $49.85 billion. Within the export sector, semiconductor products played a pivotal role, with their exports soaring 263 percent during September to reach $60.3 billion. This impressive growth was driven by increased shipments and higher product prices, as demand for memory chips continued to rise.\n\nIn addition to semiconductor exports, petroleum product exports increased by 72 percent, amounting to $7.22 billion. Petrochemical exports also saw a modest rise of 5.1 percent, totaling $3.95 billion. Cosmetic exports experienced a notable growth of 31.4 percent, reaching $1.51 billion, largely due to heightened demand in key markets such as China, the United States, and the European Union. However, automobile exports declined by 5.5 percent, reaching $6.05 billion, driven by fewer working days during the Chuseok holiday and a decrease in US demand.",
  "summary": "Korea's exports soared 83.5 percent to a record $120.9 billion in September from a year earlier, driven by a surge in chip shipments, data showed Thursday. Semiconductor exports exceeded $60 billion for the first time ever last month, boosting overall export figures, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a press release. Imports climbed 26 percent from a year earlier to $71.09…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "S. Korea's monthly exports hit US$120.9 bln in Sept. on record chip sales",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/s-koreas-monthly-exports-hit-us-120-9-bln-in-sept-on-record-chip-sales",
        "published": "2026-10-01T00:15:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea's monthly exports hit $120.9 bil. in Sept. on record chip sales",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/koreas-monthly-exports-hit-120-9-bil-in-sept-on-record-chip-sales",
        "published": "2026-10-01T00:32:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}