Sales of semiconductors overseas rose by 121.6 per cent in January compared to the same time period during the previous year, the Associated Press reported the country's ministry of knowledge economy as stating.
Total exports for the year increased by 47.1 per cent to reach $31.08 billion (£19.47 billion), which is the biggest gain since August 1988.
The newswire stated: "South Korea recorded a record trade surplus of $40.45 billion in 2009 following a deficit in 2008, its first since 1997 during the Asian financial crisis."
As well as the growth in sales of semiconductors, exports of auto parts and liquid crystal devices both posted huge growth, rising 158 per cent and 103.4 per cent respectively, added the news provider.
American academic professor Ben Streetman recently commented to the Fort Worth Business Press that demand for electronic items has been driven by scientific progress in semiconductor design.
