According to the import and export trends released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, South Korea's economy continues to thrive, boasting remarkable competitiveness in core industries and expanding global demand. Overall exports saw an explosive increase of 93.7% year-on-year, achieving $115.28 billion, marking the second consecutive month of surpassing $110 billion.
The trade balance reflected a surplus of $42.5 billion, maintained for two months running, despite imports rising by 36.0% to $72.78 billion. This robust performance highlights the resilience of South Korea's export sectors.
One of the most notable sectors in this overall export boom is cosmetic exports, representing K-Beauty. In October, cosmetic exports hit $1.44 billion, a 57.5% increase compared to the same month last year. This figure represents the highest ever for October and a significant leap beyond previous records of $1.03 billion in October 2024 and $0.92 billion in October 2025, showcasing the elevated status of K-Beauty in the global market.
The substantial growth in cosmetic exports was driven by rising demand across key strategic markets, primarily the United States, along with significant increases in China and the EU. In total, 18 of the top 20 export items recorded positive growth in October, with cosmetics alongside agricultural and fishery products ($1.11 billion, +11.6%) and bio-health products ($1.53 billion, +30.2%) collectively reaching record levels.
From January to October 2026, cumulative exports have reached $930 billion, a 60.6% increase, marking the first time surpassing the $900 billion milestone. The exceptional performance of advanced IT industries, such as semiconductors, in conjunction with the global success of consumer goods like cosmetics, positions the country just $70 billion away from achieving an annual export target of $1 trillion.
The government is committed to sustaining this momentum while ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises fully benefit from export growth amid rising protectionism and uncertainties in global supply chains.
