South Korean Exports Hit Record $120.9 Billion as Chip Shipments Surge

South Korea’s exports reached a record $120.9 billion in September, according to data released Thursday.

The value of overseas shipments jumped 83.5 percent compared with the same month a year earlier, marking a sharp expansion in the country’s export trade.

A substantial increase in semiconductor shipments drove the rise, putting chips at the center of September’s strong performance.

The record total highlights the importance of semiconductor demand to South Korea’s export sector.