(LEAD) S. Korea's monthly exports top US$80 bln mark for 1st time in March | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: UPDATES with more info throughout; ADDS byline) By Kim Na-young SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's monthly exports breached the US$80 billion mark for the first time ever in March, jumping nearly 50 percent from a year earlier on the back of record shipments of semiconductors, government data showed Wednesday. Containers are stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 12, 2026. (Yonhap) Semiconductor exports spiked 151.4 percent on-year to an all-time high of $32.83 billion last month, breaching the $30 billion mark for the first time ever. A petrochemical industrial complex in the southwestern city of Yeosu on March 26, 2026. (Yonhap) By destination, exports to China escalated 64 percent on-year to $16.5 billion last month, rising for the fifth straight month, thanks to robust demand for semiconductors, petrochemical products, machinery and computers. Korea's monthly exports top US$80 bln mark for 1st time in March Next (LEAD) S.

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OK
(ATTN: UPDATES with more info throughout; ADDS byline)
By Kim Na-young
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's monthly exports breached the US$80 billion mark for the first time ever in March, jumping nearly 50 percent from a year earlier on the back of record shipments of semiconductors, government data showed Wednesday.
Outbound shipments totaled $86.13 billion last month, up 48.3 percent on-year, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
The reading also marks a sharp increase from the previous monthly high of $69.5 billion posted December 2025.
Imports rose 13.2 percent on-year to $60.4 billion in March, resulting in a trade surplus of $25.74 billion.
Containers are stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul, on March 12, 2026. (Yonhap)
Semiconductor exports spiked 151.4 percent on-year to an all-time high of $32.83 billion last month, breaching the $30 billion mark for the first time ever.
The ministry attributed the strong performance of the chip sector to high memory chip prices and continued global demand fueled by massive investments in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
Car exports gained 2.2 percent on-year to $6.37 billion as strong demand for eco-friendly models, including electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars, helped offset shipment disruptions caused by the Middle Eastern crisis.
Outbound shipments of petroleum products surged 54.9 percent to $5.1 billion in March as their prices sharply rose in line with a hike in global oil prices sparked by the Iran war.
However, after the government imposed export restrictions on fuel items, such as gasoline and diesel, on March 13, shipments of gasoline and diesel dropped by 5 percent and 11 percent, respectively, from the same period last year, the ministry said.
A petrochemical industrial complex in the southwestern city of Yeosu on March 26, 2026. (Yonhap)
By destination, exports to China escalated 64 percent on-year to $16.5 billion last month, rising for the fifth straight month, thanks to robust demand for semiconductors, petrochemical products, machinery and computers.
Exports to the United States advanced 47.1 percent to $16.34 billion, driven by strong demand for chips and computers.
Shipments to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expanded 34.3 percent to $13.75 billion, while shipments to the European Union went up 19.3 percent to $7.47 billion.
Exports to the Middle East, however, tumbled 49.1 percent on-year to $900 million, apparently due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) S. Korea's monthly exports top US$80 bln mark for 1st time in March
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(LEAD) S. Korea's monthly exports top US$80 bln mark for 1st time in March

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- The ministry attributed the strong performance of the chip sector to high memory chip prices and continued global demand fueled by massive investments in artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
- Car exports gained 2.2 percent on-year to $6.37 billion as strong demand for eco-friendly models, including electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars, helped offset shipment disruptions caused by the Middle Eastern crisis.
- A petrochemical industrial complex in the southwestern city of Yeosu on March 26, 2026. (Yonhap) By destination, exports to China escalated 64 percent on-year to $16.5 billion last month, rising for the fifth straight month, thanks to robust demand for semiconductors, petrochemical products, machinery and computers.
- Exports to the United States advanced 47.1 percent to $16.34 billion, driven by strong demand for chips and computers.

### Areas for Consideration
- Keywords #trade balance Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- Exports to the Middle East, however, tumbled 49.1 percent on-year to $900 million, apparently due to the ongoing conflict in the region. nyway@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (LEAD) Exports jump 29 pct to record Feb. high on surging chip demand (2nd LD) Exports jump 34 pct in Jan. thanks to robust demand for semiconductors (2nd LD) S.
- Keywords #trade balance Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Korea Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang prev (LEAD) S.
- Korea's monthly exports top US$80 bln mark for 1st time in March Next (LEAD) S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers billion, percent, exports topics. Notable strengths include discussion of billion. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 737.