South Korea ICT Exports Surge 125.9% on AI Chip Demand

South Korea reported record-breaking information and communications technology export figures for April 2026, with ICT shipments reaching $42.71 billion — a 125.9% year-on-year increase driven almost entirely by global demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. Semiconductor exports alone hit $31.91 billion, while solid-state drive exports set an all-time monthly record at $4.26 billion. The United States accounted for the largest jump in purchases, with semiconductor shipments surging 671.5% and total ICT imports from South Korea climbing 294.2%. Mobile phone exports grew 14%, though display panels declined 5.3%. The ICT sector now represents nearly half of South Korea's total goods exports, producing a provisional trade surplus of $26.55 billion for the month.

Broader trade data from the Bank of Korea reinforced the AI-driven export boom. Overall export volume grew 12.4% year-on-year in April, led by a 31.4% surge in computers, electronic, and optical devices. The export value index jumped 50.2%, and export prices rose 7.1% month-on-month, pushing the net terms-of-trade index up 14.3% annually as export prices outpaced import price growth. Import volumes remained nearly flat, declining 0.1%, while the import value index rose 16.8%. Coal and oil product exports declined significantly amid rising crude oil prices.

Industry leaders signaled the supply-demand imbalance will persist. Samsung Electronics reported record quarterly operating profits and raised server DRAM prices, while SK Hynix warned of memory shortages extending through 2027. Samsung memory chief Kim Jaejune stated the supply-demand gap for 2027 is set to widen further beyond 2026 levels, and SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won suggested AI-related memory demand pressure could extend toward 2030.