South Korea May Exports Seen Rising 48.4% on Chip Boom
South Korean exports likely rose for a 12th straight month in May as AI investment drove chip sales. Economists project a 48.4% increase from a year ago.
South Korea exports likely rose 48.4% year-over-year in May, marking a 12th consecutive month of growth fueled by a global artificial intelligence infrastructure boom. The projected increase follows a 48.0% rise in April and remains near the 50.2% peak recorded in March. This sustained expansion in Asia's fourth-largest economy serves as a critical leading indicator for global trade health and semiconductor demand.
### Chip Demand Drives Export Acceleration Semiconductor sales more than trebled in the first 20 days of May, pushing total exports up 64.8% in that period. MERITZ FINANCIAL GROUP INC economist Stephen Lee said export growth is accelerating in the second quarter at a pace stronger than initial projections. The current expansion cycle began in June 2025, with double-digit growth persisting since December.
