Top News

South Korea has the second-highest share of manufacturing in its gross domestic product (GDP) among major economies, data showed on Sunday, underscoring its vulnerability to the aggressive tariff measures by the United States.

The manufacturing sector accounted for 27.6 percent of South Korea's GDP in 2023, far higher than the average 15.8 percent of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), according to the National Assembly Budget Office (NABO).

It ranked second among OECD member countries, following Ireland at 31 percent. By comparison, Germany recorded 20.1 percent and Japan 20.7 percent, reports Yonhap news agency.

"While most advanced economies are seeing an increasing share of the service sector, South Korea continues to maintain a relatively high level of manufacturing output," the office said. "Given the size of its economy, South Korea is still regarded as a country with a relatively high dependence on manufacturing."

The manufacturing sector remains the backbone of the Korean economy, with key industries, including semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, shipbuilding and automobiles, maintaining global competitiveness.

Driven by its manufacturing-based economy, South Korea remains highly dependent on exports as a key growth engine.

As of 2024, exports accounted for 44.4 percent of the nation's GDP, compared with the OECD average of 30 percent.

Among the Group of Seven (G7) nations, Germany posted the highest export-to-GDP ratio at 41.8 percent, followed by France with 33.9 percent, Italy with 32.7 percent and Canada with 32.4 percent. The U.S. recorded 10.9 percent.

South Korea's export dependence on the U.S. stood at 18.8 percent in 2024.

Given the country's high manufacturing ratio and export reliance on the U.S., the envisioned reciprocal tariffs are feared to deliver a major economic blow.

Last-minute negotiations are under way between Seoul and Washington, as the Donald Trump administration has warned that South Korea will face a 25 percent reciprocal tariff unless a deal is reached before Aug. 1.

"If the proposed reciprocal tariffs take effect, the Korean economy could suffer a significant impact," said Yang Joon-seok, an economics professor at the Catholic University of Korea.

"We should leverage our strengths in key sectors, such as shipbuilding and semiconductors, during the negotiations," he added.