The value of ICT product shipments surged 78.5 percent from a year earlier to US$29.05 billion (US$1 = Rp16,781) in January 2026, setting a record high for the month, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
The value of chip exports more than doubled to US$20.55 billion, driven by surging global investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, which fueled higher demand and related price increases for memory chips.
Display panel shipments rose 19 percent to US$1.50 billion, and mobile phone exports surged 75.1 percent to US$1.76 billion.
Computer and peripheral shipments surged 83.7 percent to US$1.71 billion, and communications equipment exports surged 26.7 percent to US$200 million.
South Korea's ICT product imports grew 20 percent year-on-year to US$14.09 billion in January, resulting in a trade surplus in the country's ICT industry of US$14.96 billion.
South Korea's imports of chips, display panels, mobile devices, computers, and communications equipment posted double-digit growth last month.
