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SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports more than doubled from a year earlier during the first 10 days of October, customs data showed Monday, on the back of the global semiconductor upcycle.
Outbound shipments reached US$26.1 billion in the Oct. 1-10 period, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.
It marked the highest export value for the period, surpassing the previous record of $15.3 billion set in the first 10 days of October 2025.
The daily average export total came to $4.75 billion, setting a new record for any 10-day period as well.
Imports went up 65.5 percent on-year to $22.3 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.8 billion.
By sector, outbound shipments of chips vaulted 170.9 percent to $12.1 billion, while those of petroleum products rose 45.6 percent to $1.75 billion.
Exports of cars surged 82.7 percent to $1.21 billion, while those of steel products increased 49.4 percent to $1 billion. Ship exports, however, fell 13.4 percent to $682 million.
By destination, exports to China soared 167 percent to $7.59 billion, while those to the United States jumped 159.9 percent to $3.65 billion.
Exports to Vietnam rose 89.7 percent to $2.4 billion, the latest findings showed.
Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan on Oct. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
colin@yna.co.kr
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