Kathmandu: South Korea’s exports of information and communication technology (ICT) goods have increased for the fifth consecutive month, reflecting strong momentum in the country’s technology sector. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the growth is primarily driven by global demand for semiconductors, especially those used in artificial intelligence.

ICT Exports Reach $22 Billion in June
In June 2025, ICT goods exports rose by 4.7 percent year-on-year, reaching $22.03 billion. This marks five continuous months of growth since February, signaling a sustained recovery in the Korean tech industry.

Semiconductor Demand Leads Growth
Exports of semiconductors rose by 11.5 percent to $14.98 billion, the highest monthly figure ever recorded. This surge is attributed to rising global demand for DDR5 chips, which are essential components in generative AI systems.

Likewise, exports of computers and related devices also grew by 12.7 percent, amounting to $1.45 billion, showing continued interest in high-performance computing equipment.

Mobile and Communication Equipment Decline
Despite the overall growth, not all segments of the ICT industry saw positive trends.

-Exports of communication equipment dropped by 0.7 percent to $200 million.

-Mobile phone exports declined by 6.2 percent, totaling $790 million.

These drops indicate that while the semiconductor sector is booming, consumer electronics are facing stagnation or decline.

Strong Trade Surplus in ICT Sector
South Korea’s ICT imports also saw a significant rise of 14 percent, reaching $12.41 billion in June. However, with booming exports, the country maintained a healthy trade surplus of $9.62 billion in the ICT sector, underlining the global competitiveness of Korea’s high-tech industry.

The strong performance of South Korea’s ICT exports, particularly in semiconductors, suggests a bright outlook for the tech sector in the face of growing global demand for AI and advanced computing infrastructure.