South Korea’s trade balance with China turns positive and widens in 2026, driven largely by stronger semiconductor shipments amid global AI-related demand. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade data show the country’s deficit with its largest trading partner narrows and then reverses: it stands at a $764 million deficit in December 2025, shifts to a $1.1 billion surplus in February, and expands further to a $3.8 billion surplus in May. Multiple reports link the improvement to increased exports of memory chips to China. The reports cite market data indicating that AI-driven demand tightens supply and pushes prices sharply higher, including gains for 16GB DDR5 memory and NAND flash prices. In May, South Korea’s semiconductor exports to China rise 243% from a year earlier, according to the same ministry data. The news coverage notes that this improvement contrasts with the situation in other East Asian economies that have faced greater competitive pressure from China and ongoing supply-chain shifts.
South Korea logs rare trade surplus with China as AI-driven memory chip demand rises
South Korea’s trade balance with China turns positive and widens in 2026, driven largely by stronger semiconductor shipments amid global AI-related demand. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade data show th...
- South Korea’s trade balance with China moves from a $764 million deficit (Dec. 2025) to a $1.1 billion surplus (Feb. 2026).
- The surplus widens to $3.8 billion by May 2026, based on South Korea’s Ministry of Trade data.
- Semiconductor exports—particularly memory chips—are cited as the main driver of the improved trade position.
- Reports say AI-related demand increases price pressures, including large rises in DDR5 memory and NAND flash prices.
- South Korea’s semiconductor exports to China increase 243% year-on-year in May.
HONG KONG — Korea has emerged as a rare bright spot among East Asian economies trading with China, as booming demand for memory chips pushes its balance with its largest trading partner back into a surplus. The country's trade position with China had strengthened steadily this year, swinging from a $764 million deficit in December 2025 to a $1.1 billion surplus in February, before widening further to $3.8 billion in May, according to data from Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The turnaround has been driven largely by semiconductor shipments to China, as the global AI boom fuels demand for memory chips. The surge had tightened supply and sent prices sharply higher, with 16 gigabyte DDR5 memory chips up 682 percent and NAND flash memory prices up 807 percent, according to Morgan Stanley. In May, Korea's semiconductor exports to China jumped 243 percent from a year earlier, the ministry's data showed. Korea’s improving position stands in sharp contrast to that of other East Asian economies, where rising Chinese competitiveness and shifting technology supply chains have
2 months agoSouth Korea has emerged as a rare bright spot among East Asian economies trading with China, as booming demand for memory chips pushes its balance with its largest trading partner back into a surplus. The country’s trade position with China had strengthened steadily this year, swinging from a US$764 million deficit in December 2025 to a US$1.1 billion surplus in February, before widening further to US$3.8 billion in May, according to data from South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and...
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