Unadjusted shipments also gained 6.8%, while overall imports rose 0.7%, resulting in a trade surplus of US$3.8 billion (RM15.5 billion). Auto exports dropped 13%, and petrochemicals showed weakness tied to higher input costs and US protectionist measures. Still, Governor Rhee Chang Yong noted that much of the improvement in the growth outlook was driven by gains in chips and IT. Barclays said it expects exports to expand 2.1% next year, but excluding semiconductor-related exports, imports and investment, growth would only be about 1.1%. That ongoing divergence in performance adds to the difficulties for policymaking at the BOK, already complicated by weakness in the currency and frothy property prices in the South Korean capital.

Source: The Edge Markets December 22, 2025 05:59 UTC