South Korea Exports Continue to Surge Despite Escalating Iran Risks

South Korea’s exports continued to surge in March as record semiconductor shipments driven by the artificial intelligence boom and demand from China helped cushion the economy even as external risks intensify amid the war in Iran.

The value of shipments adjusted for differences in the number of working days soared 41.9% from a year earlier, according to data released by the trade ministry. Unadjusted exports rose 48.3%, compared with a revised 28.7% gain for the full month of February, while imports increased 13.2%, resulting in a trade surplus of $25.74 billion.