The Korea Customs Service announced on the 15th that exports in June 2025 reached $59.8 billion, a 4.3% increase compared to the same month last year, marking a rebound after one month. The trade balance showed a surplus of $9.1 billion, continuing a surplus trend for five consecutive months.

Exports in June increased by 4.3% year-on-year to $59.8 billion, driven by strong semiconductor performance. During the same period, imports rose by 3.3% to $50.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $9.1 billion and maintaining a surplus for five consecutive months. Export volume, which decreased by 1.3% month-on-month, turned around to a 10.8% increase.

By item, semiconductors saw a 11.3% increase, marking their fourth consecutive month of growth and achieving the highest June performance on record. Exports of ships (64.8%) and automobile parts (1.8%) also increased, while exports of passenger cars (-0.3%), petroleum products (-0.9%), and wireless communication devices (-37.4%) decreased. Notably, passenger car exports have declined for three consecutive months.

By export destination, exports to the European Union (14.7%), Taiwan (31.1%), Japan (2.9%), and the Middle East (14.7%) increased. Conversely, exports to China (-2.7%), the United States (-0.5%), and Vietnam (-3.7%) decreased. Exports to China turned negative again after three months, and exports to the United States have shown a negative trend for three consecutive months.

Imports were $50.7 billion, a 3.3% increase year-on-year. By item, imports of machinery (13.6%), non-ferrous metal ores (79.8%), and passenger cars (7.3%) increased, while imports of crude oil (-15.2%), home appliances (-1.3%), and computers (-31.8%) decreased. Capital goods imports increased by 14.8%, with significant growth in manufacturing equipment (45.3%), while imports of aircraft (-9.2%) and trucks (-47.6%) decreased.

Imports of consumer goods increased by 7.6%, driven by passenger cars (7.3%) and clothing (4.4%). Imports of raw materials decreased by 6.4% overall due to decreases in crude oil (-15.2%) and gas (-7.1%). Imports from major countries such as China (5.1%), the United States (8.8%), the European Union (1.2%), and Japan (15.5%) showed growth, while imports from the Middle East (-26.4%) and Australia (-11.3%) decreased.

Specifically, the import price of crude oil in June decreased by 21.4% year-on-year to $69.1 per barrel, following a decline in international oil prices. This continues a steady downward trend observed since March.

Meanwhile, cumulative exports for the first half of the year amounted to $334.7 billion, a slight decrease of 0.03% compared to the same period last year. Imports totaled $306.9 billion, a decrease of 1.6%, resulting in a trade surplus of $27.8 billion.