Semiconductors accounted for 46.5% of Q3 exports... top 10 companies accounted for 60.9%

South Korea's third-quarter exports totaled $318.6 billion, up 72.3% year-over-year and the highest quarterly figure since records began in 2015, according to provisional trade statistics from the National Data Office and Korea Customs Service. Semiconductor exports reached $148 billion, a 219% year-over-year surge, lifting chips to 46.5% of total outbound shipments from 25.1% a year earlier. The top 10 exporting companies accounted for 60.9% of the total, underscoring heavy concentration in both products and firms. The data matters because it shows growth is overwhelmingly chip-driven and dependent on a handful of large exporters, leaving the trade profile exposed to semiconductor demand and pricing cycles. Watch next quarter's chip share and top-10 concentration for signs of whether the boom is broadening beyond semiconductors and major conglomerates.