MENA Newswire, SEOUL: South Korea’s exports of information and communication technology products rose more than 12 percent in 2025, underscoring the country’s central role in the global supply chain for artificial intelligence hardware and advanced digital components. Government data showed ICT shipments reached approximately $264 billion for the year, marking one of the strongest annual performances for the sector and providing critical support to the nation’s broader trade activity amid uneven global economic conditions.
The export expansion was led overwhelmingly by semiconductors, which accounted for more than two thirds of total ICT shipments. Semiconductor exports climbed above $170 billion in 2025, driven by sustained global demand for high performance memory chips used in data centers, cloud computing infrastructure, and AI servers. Industry data indicated that memory products such as DRAM and NAND flash remained the dominant contributors, reflecting South Korea’s established position in advanced chip manufacturing.
Exports of computers, networking equipment, and communication devices also recorded year on year gains, though at a slower pace than semiconductors. Shipments of displays and mobile handsets declined compared with the previous year, highlighting ongoing structural changes in consumer electronics demand. Despite those declines, the strong performance of chips more than offset weakness in other categories, keeping overall ICT export growth firmly positive throughout the year.
Government figures showed that ICT exports accelerated in the final quarter of 2025, with December shipments rising more than 30 percent from a year earlier to around $30 billion. The late year surge was attributed to increased overseas orders for memory chips as global technology firms expanded data center capacity and upgraded AI computing systems. Imports of ICT products also rose during the year but at a slower rate, preserving a significant trade surplus for the sector.
Semiconductor exports anchor Korea’s trade performance
The strong showing in ICT exports reinforced the importance of technology manufacturing to South Korea’s overall economy. Total national exports approached record levels in 2025, with semiconductors and related components forming the backbone of outbound shipments. Trade officials said ICT products continued to act as a stabilizing force for exports as other industries faced pressure from fluctuating commodity prices and slowing demand in some overseas markets.
South Korea’s ICT trade surplus widened in 2025, supported by rising export values and relatively moderate growth in imports. Analysts noted that higher average selling prices for memory chips contributed to export revenue growth alongside higher shipment volumes. The data underscored how closely the country’s export performance has become linked to global investment cycles in AI infrastructure, cloud services, and high performance computing.
Global AI demand drives sustained ICT shipments
International demand for AI related hardware remained a defining factor throughout the year, with technology companies in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia increasing procurement of advanced semiconductors. South Korea’s manufacturers benefited from long term supply relationships and large scale production capacity, allowing them to respond to sustained overseas orders without major disruptions.
The ICT export data highlighted South Korea’s continued integration into global technology supply chains at a time when digital transformation remains a priority across multiple industries. Officials said the figures reflected both the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers and the depth of global demand for AI enabling technologies. The performance of the ICT sector in 2025 reinforced its role as a key driver of trade growth and economic stability for South Korea.
