South Korea has recently reported that 20 new items have achieved the status of being the world's top export products, increasing its total to 81 top-ranking items. This information comes from a report released by the Korea International Trade Association, noting that despite ongoing global inflation and protectionist tendencies among major countries, South Korea has maintained its position among the world's top ten exporters for five consecutive years. The rise to the top of the export market is chiefly attributed to high-value products driven by advanced technologies, particularly in the semiconductor sector, which regained its leading position due to the expanding demand in the AI industry.

Specifically, South Korea's memory semiconductors, benefiting from the boom in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) driven by AI expansions, reclaimed the number one spot, surpassing China after five years. Additionally, transformers targeted at the North American market capitalized on the demand for infrastructure upgrades, allowing them to achieve the top position. The K-beauty wave saw face masks also rise to the forefront, demonstrating not only the diversity of South Korean exports but also effective marketing through the soft power of cultural exports.

Looking forward, the potential for further export growth remains high, with 19 items currently showing an increasing trend in their rankings, including those that already have export values exceeding $100 million. However, some items have lost their leading positions in 2024, including liquid transport ships, which fell behind due to intense competition from low-value orders in China. The Trade Association remains optimistic about the resilience and adaptability of South Korea's manufacturing sector, indicating a strong foundation for continued competitiveness in global markets.