"Expansion of System Semiconductors, etc."
Display Still Sluggish
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Last month, exports of information and communication technology (ICT) increased. This marks two consecutive months of growth. The increase in performance of major items such as semiconductors and mobile phones had an impact. However, displays fell into a deep slump, decreasing by more than 20%.
On the 13th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that last month's ICT export amount was provisionally estimated at $14.99 billion, a 3.3% increase compared to the same period last year.
Korea's ICT exports were negative for two months starting from April, when the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) expanded into a global pandemic. After turning to an upward trend in June, it has been positive for two consecutive months.
Semiconductors, the largest ICT export item accounting for 53% of the total, recorded $7.96 billion, a 5.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
Memory semiconductors increased by 5% to $4.97 billion, and system semiconductors rose by 8.1% to $2.46 billion.
Demand for memory semiconductors turned to an increase due to expanded demand for DRAM.
System semiconductors saw increased performance due to expanded demand for fabless and IDM (Integrated Device Manufacturer).
Mobile phone exports also increased. They rose 9.5% compared to the same period last year to $950 million. The launch of new premium smartphones had a significant impact.
Finished products recorded $380 million, a 20.7% increase compared to the same month last year, due to the effect of 5G smartphone launches.
Mobile phone parts also increased by 3% during the same period to $570 million.
However, displays failed to shake off their slump. They decreased by 21.1% compared to the same month last year to $1.55 billion.
Exports continued to decline due to decreased demand for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels and reduced production of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels.
Last month, OLED panel exports decreased by 28.9% compared to the same period last year to $640 million.
They were sluggish at -25.2% in April and -4.1% in May, briefly turning to a 13.4% increase in June, but then returned to a downward trend.
LCD panel exports amounted to $550 million, down 23.4% during the same period.
Computer and peripheral devices increased by 69.4% compared to the same period last year to $1.21 billion, showing an increase for 10 consecutive months.
Auxiliary storage devices (such as solid-state drives, SSDs) recorded $840 million, a 123.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
!["The Woman Who Threw Herself into the Water Clutching a Stolen Dior Bag"...A Grotesque Success Story That Shakes the Korean Psyche [Slate]](https://cwcontent.asiae.co.kr/asiaresize/183/2026021902243444107_1771435474.jpg)
