FX.co ★ South Korea Exports Rise Less than Expected

South Korea's exports experienced a 3.1% year-on-year increase, reaching a three-month peak of USD 58.3 billion in March 2025. This growth, although slightly below the anticipated 3.5% rise, followed a recently adjusted 0.7% increase in the previous month. The primary driver of this growth was a significant surge in demand for semiconductors, according to preliminary estimates. Semiconductor exports, a critical component of the country's export portfolio, rose by 11.9% compared to the previous year, recovering from a 3% decline in February. Throughout 2024, exports saw a robust 8.2% increase, marking a substantial recovery from a 7.5% decrease in 2023.