According to data released by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the country's exports grew 3.8% year-on-year to reach $709.7 billion in 2025, marking the first time South Korea's annual exports have surpassed the $700 billion threshold. Among all sectors, the semiconductor industry drove the overall growth, with exports hitting a record $173.4 billion, a 22.2% increase from the previous year.