South Korea logs modest growth even as AI chip boom powers exports

A graduate student majoring in semiconductor engineering at Korea University in Seoul works on June 11. The chip sector is powering South Korea's economy. © ReutersSTEVEN BOROWIECJuly 23, 2026 08:10 JSTSEOUL -- South Korea's economy expanded in the second quarter of this year as a boom in exports of semiconductors and other IT items continued to drive growth.

SEOUL -- South Korea's economy expanded in the second quarter of this year as a boom in exports of semiconductors and other IT items continued to drive growth. SEOUL -- South Korea's economy expanded in the second quarter of this year as a boom in exports of semiconductors and other IT items continued to drive growth. Read NextEconomySouth Korean central bank raises rates as economy shows strengthEconomySouth Korea delivery drivers lose legal fight for bargaining rightsSemiconductorsSouth Korea's chip hub plans face tough questions over timing, demandEconomySouth Korean exports in June soar past $100bn for first time on chip demandSemiconductorsSouth Korea's Lee makes chip hub pitch in country's southwestSemiconductorsSouth Korea announces $520bn chip plant project with Samsung, SK HynixLatest on EconomyEconomyAliExpress hit with $629m EU fine over sales of illegal productsEconomyBangladesh forex recovery to get boost from Malaysia labor reopeningEconomyIndia's services exports growth highlights limits of manufacturing push Read Next Read Next EconomySouth Korean central bank raises rates as economy shows strengthEconomySouth Korea delivery drivers lose legal fight for bargaining rightsSemiconductorsSouth Korea's chip hub plans face tough questions over timing, demandEconomySouth Korean exports in June soar past $100bn for first time on chip demandSemiconductorsSouth Korea's Lee makes chip hub pitch in country's southwestSemiconductorsSouth Korea announces $520bn chip plant project with Samsung, SK Hynix EconomySouth Korean central bank raises rates as economy shows strength EconomySouth Korean central bank raises rates as economy shows strength EconomySouth Korea delivery drivers lose legal fight for bargaining rights SemiconductorsSouth Korea's chip hub plans face tough questions over timing, demand EconomySouth Korean exports in June soar past $100bn for first time on chip demand SemiconductorsSouth Korea's Lee makes chip hub pitch in country's southwest SemiconductorsSouth Korea announces $520bn chip plant project with Samsung, SK Hynix Latest on Economy Latest on Economy EconomyAliExpress hit with $629m EU fine over sales of illegal productsEconomyBangladesh forex recovery to get boost from Malaysia labor reopeningEconomyIndia's services exports growth highlights limits of manufacturing push EconomyAliExpress hit with $629m EU fine over sales of illegal products EconomyBangladesh forex recovery to get boost from Malaysia labor reopening EconomyIndia's services exports growth highlights limits of manufacturing push Sponsored Content Sponsored Content