▲ Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan on June 16, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) trade balance-tally

(LEAD) S. Korea's monthly exports hit US$100 bln for 1st time in June

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By Kang Yoon-seung

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's monthly exports hit a fresh high by surpassing the US$100 billion mark for the first time in June, amid the record-breaking performance of chips, data showed Wednesday.

Outbound shipments surged 70.9 percent on-year to $102.25 billion in June, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

Imports rose 30.1 percent on-year to $66.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $36.15 billion.

It also marked the first time that the monthly trade balance has surpassed $30 billion.

Exports of semiconductors nearly tripled to reach $44.82 billion, with monthly exports surpassing $40 billion for the first time on the back of surging demand for memory chips.

Outbound shipments of computer products soared more than 300 percent to $5.41 billion as global tech companies expanded investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, the ministry added.

Exports of mobile devices also jumped 51.9 percent to $1.55 billion amid growing demand for new smartphones.

The data showed automobile exports rising 5.8 percent to $6.71 billion following the stabilization of auto parts supplies.

Outbound shipments of petroleum products advanced 49.8 percent to $5.59 billion on higher prices.

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