SOUTH KOREA CHIP EXPORTS TOP $60 BILLION

South Korea's semiconductor exports crossed $60 billion in a single month for the first time ever in September, hitting $60.3 billion and surging 263% year over year. That growth outpaced the country's overall exports, which also set a record of their own at $120.9 billion, up 83.5%. Korea-exposed funds like $EWY are feeling the AI chip boom directly, as the trade surplus hit a record $49.85 billion.