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ICT exports double in February driven by AI chip demand

Published: 12 Mar. 2026, 12:28

This file photo shows an electronics store in Seoul on Jan. 25. [YONHAP]

Korea's exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products more than doubled in February from a year earlier, with shipments of chips soaring amid the global AI boom, data showed Thursday.

Outbound shipments of ICT products in February reached $33.6 billion, compared to $16.5 billion a year earlier, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Science and ICT, posting a sharp increase from last year despite having fewer working days. It marks the biggest exports in terms of value for any February.

Imports moved up 19.6 percent to $13 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $20.5 billion.

“ICT exports accounted for 49.8 percent of the country's total exports of $67.45 billion in the month, reaffirming the sector's reputation as the key industry leading the Korean economy's growth,” the ministry said in a release.

By product, exports of chips jumped 160 percent over the period to $25.17 billion following soaring demand from the global AI data center industry.

The growth was also attributable to robust performances of premium products, such as high bandwidth memory, according to the ministry.

Exports of smartphones rose 16.9 percent to $1.24 billion in February following the release of new products coupled with strong demand for premium handsets.

Outbound shipments of computers and related accessories nearly tripled to $2.72 billion in February amid growing investment in AI infrastructure around the globe.

Exports of display products, on the other hand, lost 7.5 percent to $1.36 billion following weak demand for organic light-emitting diode products for the IT segment.

By destination, exports to the United States tripled to $6.28 billion over the period, led mainly by chips, handsets and computers.

Exports to China, including Hong Kong, also doubled to $1.24 billion on strong chip sales.

Yonhap