S. Korean economy continues to improve on strong AI-led exports, investment

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SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean economy continued to improve, supported by strong exports and investment related to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure at home and abroad, a state-run think tank said Monday.

"The Korean economy continues to improve, led by sectors closely tied to AI-related investment," the Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in its monthly economic assessment. It said the analysis comes despite persistent uncertainties surrounding developments in the Middle East,

"Exports and equipment investment continue to post strong growth amid expanding AI infrastructure investment, while manufacturing production continues to expand in related industries," the KDI said.

Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan on Sept. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)

Industrial output rose 3.1 percent in July from the previous month, slowing from a 4.4 percent increase in June, but remaining above the second-quarter average of 2.9 percent, indicating steady improvements.

Exports expanded 68.7 percent in August from a year earlier as outbound shipments of semiconductors surged more than 200 percent on rising chip prices.

Investment remained strong, with facility investment rising 24.9 percent in July on increased spending on semiconductor-related facilities and equipment.

However, the think tank noted that private consumption remained modest as the broader economic improvement has yet to fully feed through to household incomes.

"Consumption is improving only modestly, constrained by the limited improvement in household purchasing power," it said.

Retail sales fell 0.8 percent in July, reversing a 3.9 percent growth in June, due to a sharp decline in durable goods sales.

The KDI also pointed out that Asia's No. 4 economy still faces uncertainties, including U.S. tariff policies and lingering geopolitical instability in the Middle East.

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S. Korean economy continues to improve on strong AI-led exports, investment

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首尔，9月7日（韩联社）——一家国营智库周一表示，在国内外强劲的出口和与人工智能（AI）基础设施相关的投资的支撑下，韩国经济持续改善。

韩国开发研究院（KDI）在其月度经济评估报告中指出：“在与人工智能投资密切相关的行业的带动下，韩国经济持续改善。”报告还表示，尽管中东局势发展仍存在诸多不确定性，但上述分析仍然成立。

韩国开发研究院表示：“随着人工智能基础设施投资的不断扩大，出口和设备投资继续保持强劲增长，而相关行业的制造业生产也在持续扩张。”

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韩国经济在人工智能驱动的强劲出口和投资的带动下持续改善。