Rep. of Korea

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Rep. of Korea-China, Hong Kong SAR Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $38.34B total volume •Rep. of Korea surplus: $19.35B

Rep. of Korea → China, Hong Kong SAR

$28.84B

Exports (2023)

China, Hong Kong SAR → Rep. of Korea

$9.50B

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$19.35B

Surplus for Rep. of Korea

Total Trade

$38.34B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Rep. of Korea and China, Hong Kong SAR. Green line shows exports from Rep. of Korea, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Rep. of Korea-China, Hong Kong SAR commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

Rep. of Korea → China, Hong Kong SAR Exports

$28.84B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Highly Diversified
Market Share:
38.7% top product
1Electronic integrated circuits: memories
$11.17B
38.7% of exports
2Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$2.76B
9.6% of exports
3Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542
$2.29B
7.9% of exports
4Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations)
$2.18B
7.6% of exports
5Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) of the machines of heading no. 8471
$1.64B
5.7% of exports
6Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
$1.05B
3.6% of exports
7Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8525 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectors
$1.02B
3.5% of exports
8Telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts
$534.25M
1.9% of exports
9Semiconductor media: solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37
$528.08M
1.8% of exports
10Turbo-jets: of a thrust exceeding 25kN
$285.97M
1.0% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Rep. of Korea's export portfolio to China, Hong Kong SAR demonstrates strong diversification across multiple sectors, with electronic integrated circuits: memories representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

China, Hong Kong SAR → Rep. of Korea Imports

$9.50B
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Well Diversified
Critical Imports:
16.7% concentration
1Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542
$1.58B
16.7% of imports
2Electronic integrated circuits: memories
$890.20M
9.4% of imports
3Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)
$863.07M
9.1% of imports
4Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$603.25M
6.4% of imports
5Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) of the machines of heading no. 8471
$390.12M
4.1% of imports
6Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus
$343.09M
3.6% of imports
7Cases and containers: handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of leather or of composition leather
$242.82M
2.6% of imports
8Cases and containers: handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials
$222.54M
2.3% of imports
9Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8525 to 8528, excluding aerials and aerial reflectors
$213.45M
2.2% of imports
10Units of automatic data processing machines: n.e.c. in item no. 8471.50, 8471.60 or 8471.70
$210.73M
2.2% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Rep. of Korea's import pattern from China, Hong Kong SAR reveals significant dependencyin electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Rep. of Korea demonstrates competitive strength in exportingelectronic integrated circuits: memories to China, Hong Kong SAR, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 20+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $38.34B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Major Partnership

Executive Summary: Rep. of Korea-China, Hong Kong SAR Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $38.34 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Rep. of Korea maintains a surplus of $19.35 billion
  • Export Focus: Rep. of Korea's primary exports include electronic integrated circuits: memories, electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits, electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from China, Hong Kong SAR include electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542, electronic integrated circuits: memories, electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationDiversified
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents a significant global trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $38.34B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Rep. of Korea leveraging its comparative advantages in electronic integrated circuits: memories.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

Rep. of Korea's specialization in electronic integrated circuits: memoriescomplements China, Hong Kong SAR's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $38.34B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationLow
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $38.34B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $38.34 billion bilateral trade volume represents a significant economic factorfor both economies.

Economic Significance: High
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in electronic integrated circuits: memories and electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Diversified
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Rep. of Korea's trade surplus of $19.35 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in electronic integrated circuits: memories may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between Rep. of Korea and China, Hong Kong SAR represents a total trade volume of $38.34 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Rep. of Korea, with exports exceeding importsby $19.35 billion.

Export Strengths

Rep. of Korea's exports to China, Hong Kong SAR total $28.84 billion, with competitive advantages in electronic integrated circuits: memories, representing $11.17B or38.7% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from China, Hong Kong SAR amount to $9.50 billion, highlighting economic interdependence in electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542, with Electronic integrated circuits: n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 comprising16.7% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Rep. of Korea's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between Rep. of Korea and China, Hong Kong SAR in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023