Korea's exports more than doubled from a year earlier during the first 10 days of October, customs data showed Monday, on the back of the global semiconductor upcycle. Outbound shipments reached $26.1 billion in the Oct. 1-10 period, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. It marked the highest export value for the period, surpassing the previous record of $15.3 billion set in the first 10 days of October 2025. The daily average export total came to $4.75 billion, setting a new record for any 10-day period as well. Imports went up 65.5 percent year-on-year to $22.3 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.8 billion. By sector, outbound shipments of chips vaulted 170.9 percent to $12.1 billion, while those of petroleum products rose 45.6 percent to $1.75 billion. Exports of cars surged 82.7 percent to $1.21 billion, while those of steel products increased 49.4 percent to $1 billion. Ship exports, however, fell 13.4 percent to $682 million. By destination, exports to China soared 167 percent to $7.59 billion, while those to the United States jumped 159.9