South Korea's holiday-adjusted exports experienced a growth of 5.7% in January, indicating strong demand for the country's leading products.
The primary driver of the export rebound was the semiconductor industry, with semiconductor exports soaring by an impressive 56.2% compared to the previous year. South Korea, being a global leader in semiconductor production, showcased its solid position in the market. Notably, Samsung Electronics reported profitability in the dynamic random-access memory business, even though overall income declined for the fourth consecutive quarter. This positive performance in the semiconductor sector bodes well for the broader economy as it indicates strong global demand for these devices.
Beyond semiconductors, other contributing factors to South Korea's export growth included automobiles, petrochemicals, and shipbuilding.