Navigator
South Korea
(information)
Population as of 2020: 51 million 29 of 193
highest next higher next lower lowest
Region: Asia
Nominal G.D.P. in 2024: $1.87 trillion 11 of 193
highest next higher next lower lowest
Top Exports
South Korea exported roughly **$630–650 billion in goods in 2024**, with a highly advanced export structure centered on **electronics, semiconductors, vehicles, ships, and petrochemicals**. | Rank | Export Category | Notes | | ---- | ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Electrical machinery & electronics** | Largest sector; semiconductors dominate. | | 2 | **Machinery (industrial equipment)** | Manufacturing and industrial systems. | | 3 | **Vehicles (cars & parts)** | Hyundai, Kia exports globally. | | 4 | **Ships & boats** | One of the world’s top shipbuilders. | | 5 | **Mineral fuels (refined petroleum products)** | Major refining hub. | | 6 | **Chemicals (petrochemicals)** | Plastics and industrial chemicals. | | 7 | **Plastics & plastic articles** | Derived from petrochemical industry. | | 8 | **Iron & steel products** | High-quality steel exports. | | 9 | **Optical & precision instruments** | Electronics and measurement devices. | | 10 | **Rubber products** | Tires and industrial rubber goods. | Key individual export products (by value) | Rank | Product | Estimated Value (USD) | | ---- | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------- | | 11 | **Integrated circuits (semiconductors)** | ~$100–140 billion | | 12 | **Passenger vehicles** | ~$50–70 billion | | 13 | **Refined petroleum products** | ~$40–60 billion | | 14 | **Ships (tankers, LNG carriers)** | ~$30–50 billion | | 15 | **Automobile parts & accessories** | ~$30–40 billion | | 16 | **Display panels (LCD, OLED)** | ~$20–30 billion | | 17 | **Petrochemicals (ethylene, plastics)** | ~$30–40 billion | | 18 | **Steel products** | ~$20–30 billion | | 19 | **Lithium-ion batteries** | ~$20–30 billion | | 20 | **Computers & electronic equipment** | ~$20–30 billion | Key Takeaways * **Semiconductor powerhouse:** Chips are South Korea’s **#1 export by far**. * **Strong industrial base:** Major exporter of **cars, ships, and machinery**. * **Energy processing hub:** Imports crude oil and exports **refined petroleum products and petrochemicals**. * **High-tech leadership:** Leading exporter of **batteries, displays, and advanced electronics**. Top Importers of South Korea’s Exports | Rank | Country | Notes | | ---- | ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **China** | Largest market; semiconductors, petrochemicals, components. | | 2 | **United States** | Cars, electronics, batteries, machinery. | | 3 | **Vietnam** | Key manufacturing hub; imports components for re-export. | | 4 | **Japan** | Machinery, chemicals, and industrial inputs. | | 5 | **Hong Kong** | Re-export hub for electronics and semiconductors. | | 6 | **India** | Growing market; machinery, chemicals, and vehicles. | | 7 | **Singapore** | Trade hub; fuels and electronics. | | 8 | **Mexico** | Vehicles, electronics, and industrial goods. | | 9 | **Germany** | Machinery, vehicles, and industrial products. | | 10 | **Australia** | Energy-related goods and manufactured products. | Key Patterns * **China is #1**: * A major buyer of **intermediate goods (especially semiconductors)** used in global supply chains. * **U.S. is #2**: * Strong demand for **cars, electronics, and batteries**. * **Asia dominates overall**: * Many partners (Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore) are part of **regional manufacturing networks**. * **Supply chain role**: * South Korea exports **high-tech components** that are assembled elsewhere.
