AI Investment Drives ICT Exports to $75.1 Billion, Surpassing $70 Billion for the First Time

Up 195.8% year over year
Semiconductor exports lead the way at $60.33 billion

As global investment in artificial intelligence (AI) increased, information and communications technology (ICT) exports hit a record high last month. They rose by nearly twice the amount recorded in the same period last year, surpassing $70 billion for the first time.

A visitor at the 28th Semiconductor Exhibition at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on October 14, 2026, takes a photo of SK hynix's HBM (high-bandwidth memory). Photo by Kang Jinhyung.

According to the “September 2026 ICT Exports and Imports Trends” report released on Oct. 14 by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, ICT exports totaled $75.15 billion last month, up 195.8% from $25.4 billion in the same month a year earlier. This far exceeded the previous record of $59.98 billion.

ICT exports accounted for 62.1% of total national exports, which stood at $120.94 billion, keeping their share in the 60% range for two consecutive months.

Semiconductor exports reached $60.33 billion as sales of high-value-added products increased amid growing demand for AI infrastructure, while memory fixed-contract prices continued to rise. Mobile phone exports totaled $1.9 billion, driven by increased exports of components such as camera modules and 3D sensing modules, as well as higher sales of premium finished products.

Computer and peripheral equipment exports came to $7.16 billion, as investment in AI data centers continued to expand and exports of storage devices (SSDs) and medium- and large-sized computers increased.

Meanwhile, display exports stood at $1.7 billion, amid falling demand due to schedule changes for the launch of some new smartphone models and continued pressure from downstream companies to lower unit prices.

Telecommunications equipment exports also fell 2.3% to $220 million, as demand declined for navigation equipment destined for Poland and Türkiye and wireless communications devices destined for Japan.

Exports increased to all major destinations: the United States ($15.17 billion, up 420.1%), China, including Hong Kong ($30.4 billion, up 228.9%), Taiwan ($9.06 billion, up 110.9%), the European Union ($2.96 billion, up 128.5%), Vietnam ($6.77 billion, up 66.8%), Japan ($840 million, up 119.6%), and India ($1.02 billion, up 104.3%).

ICT imports in September rose 55.3% year over year to $21.43 billion, compared with $13.8 billion in the same month a year earlier. The trade balance recorded a surplus of $53.71 billion, a record high and the first time it has exceeded $50 billion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.