Korea's exports soared 83.5 percent to a record $120.9 billion in September from a year earlier, driven by a surge in chip shipments, data showed Thursday. Semiconductor exports exceeded $60 billion for the first time last month, boosting overall export figures, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a press release. Imports climbed 26 percent from a year earlier to $71.09 billion, resulting in an unprecedented trade surplus of $49.85 billion.