South Korea Balance of Trade

Recent Releases

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows 33.2% YoY in November
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 5.14 billion in November of 2018 from USD 7.69 billion in the same month of the preceding year, preliminary data showed. It was the smallest trade surplus since February, as imports rose more than exports.
Published on 2018-12-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed slightly to USD 6.55 billion in October of 2018 from USD 6.93 billion in the same month of the preceding year, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2018-11-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in September
South Korea’s trade surplus declined to USD 9.7 billion in September of 2018 from USD 13.4 billion in the same month of the preceding year, preliminary data showed. Exports tumbled 8.2 percent year-on-year to USD 50.5 billion while imports fell at a slower 2.1 percent to USD 40.8 billion.
Published on 2018-10-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 4.5% YoY in August
South Korea’s trade surplus increased to USD 6.9 billion in August of 2018 from USD 6.6 billion in the same month of the preceding year, preliminary data showed. Exports rose 8.7 percent year-on-year to a record high for August of USD 51.2 billion while imports went up 9.2 percent to USD 44.3 billion.
Published on 2018-09-03

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows 31.4% YoY in July
South Korea’s trade surplus decreased to USD 7.0 billion in July of 2018 from USD 10.2 billion in the same month of the preceding year, as exports rose less than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2018-08-01

South Korea June Trade Surplus Smallest in 4 Months
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed to USD 6.3 billion in June of 2018 from USD 10.7 billion in the same month of the preceding year, as exports fell while imports rose, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2018-07-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 19.6% YoY in May
South Korea’s trade surplus widened to USD 6.7 billion in May of 2018 from USD 5.6 billion in the same month of the preceding year, as exports rose more than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2018-06-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in April
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed to USD 6.6 billion in April of 2018 from USD 12.9 billion in the same month of the preceding year, as exports fell for the first time in 18 months and imports rose less than expected, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2018-05-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Largest in 4 Months
South Korea’s trade surplus increased to USD 6.9 billion in March of 2018 from USD 6.1 billion in the same month of the preceding year. It was the largest trade surplus since November 2017, as exports rose more than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2018-04-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in January
South Korea’s trade surplus increased to USD 3.7 billion in January of 2018 from USD 2.6 billion in the same month of the preceding year, mainly driven by robust exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2018-02-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows 14.3% YoY in December
South Korea’s trade surplus fell to USD 5.8 billion in December of 2017 from USD 6.8 billion in the same month of the preceding year, as exports rose less than imports, preliminary data showed. Considering full 2017, the trade surplus came in at USD 95.8 billion, larger than a USD 89.2 billion surplus in the previous year.
Published on 2018-01-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows 3.7% in November
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed to USD 7.8 billion in November of 2017 from USD 8.1 billion in the same month of the previous year, as exports rose less than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-12-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in October
South Korea’s trade surplus widened to USD 7.3 billion in October of 2017 from USD 6.93 billion in the same month of the previous year, mainly supported by strong exports, preliminary data showed
Published on 2017-11-01

South Korea Posts Largest Trade Surplus on Record in September
South Korea's trade surplus jumped to USD 13.8 billion in September of 2017 from USD 6.9 billion in the same month a year earlier, mainly supported by double-digit growth of exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-10-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 39.6% YoY in August
South Korea's trade surplus increased to USD 7.01 billion in August of 2017 from USD 5.02 billion in the same month a year earlier, mainly supported by double-digit growth of exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-09-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 42% YoY In July
South Korea's trade surplus increased sharply to USD 10.65 billion in July of 2017 from USD 7.51 billion in the same month a year earlier, mainly supported by double-digit growth of exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-08-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 52% YoY In June
South Korea's trade surplus increased sharply to USD 11.40 billion in June of 2017 from USD 7.51 billion in the same month a year earlier, mainly supported by double-digit growth of exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-07-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows To 4-Month Low In May
South Korea's trade surplus fell to USD 5.99 billion in May of 2017 from USD 6.71 billion a year earlier. It was the smallest trade surplus since January, as exports rose less than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-06-01

South Korea Posts Largest Trade Surplus On Record In April
South Korea's trade surplus rose to USD 13.25 billion in April of 2017 from USD 8.70 billion a year earlier. It was the largest trade surplus on record, as exports increased more than imports, preliminary data showed
Published on 2017-05-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows In March
South Korea's trade surplus fell to USD 6.55 billion in March of 2017 from USD 9.68 billion surplus a year earlier, as exports rose less than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-04-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens To 3-Month High
South Korea recorded a USD 7.22 billion trade surplus in February of 2017, compared to a USD 6.78 billion surplus a year earlier. It was the largest trade surplus since November 2016, mainly driven by a surge in exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-03-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows To 30-Month Low
South Korea recorded a USD 3.20 billion trade surplus in January of 2017, compared to a USD 4.93 billion surplus a year earlier. It was the smallest trade surplus since July 2014 as exports rose less than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-02-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Little Changed in December
South Korea recorded a USD 7.0 billion trade surplus in December of 2016, compared to a USD 6.9 billion surplus a year earlier, as exports rose 6.4 percent from a year earlier to USD 45.07 billion while imports went up 7.3 percent to USD 38.07 billion, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2017-01-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in November
South Korea's trade surplus fell to USD 7.99 billion in November 2016 from USD 10.24 billion the same month a year earlier, preliminary data showed. Exports increased by 2.7 percent, as shipments to China grew for the first time in 17 months, while imports advanced at a faster 10.1 percent.
Published on 2016-12-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in October
South Korea's trade surplus rose to USD 7.19 billion in October 2016 from USD 6.59 billion a year earlier, preliminary data showed. Exports declined by 3.2 percent from the previous year to USD 41.96 billion while imports decreased by 5.4 percent to USD 34.78 billion.
Published on 2016-11-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in September
South Korea recorded a USD 7.10 billion trade surplus in September of 2016, compared to a USD 8.89 billion surplus a year earlier, as exports fell more than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2016-10-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in August
South Korea recorded a USD 5.30 billion trade surplus in August of 2016, compared to a USD 4.34 billion surplus a year earlier, as exports rose more than imports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2016-09-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in July
South Korea recorded a USD7.80 billion trade surplus in July of 2016, compared to a USD7.05 billion surplus a year earlier, as imports dropped more than exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2016-08-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Hits Record High in June
South Korea recorded a USD11.60 billion trade surplus in June of 2016, compared to a USD9.98 billion surplus a year earlier. It was the largest trade surplus on record as imports dropped more than exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2016-07-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in May
South Korea recorded a USD7.10 billion trade surplus in May of 2016, compared to a USD6.30 billion surplus a year earlier, as imports dropped more than exports, preliminary data showed.
Published on 2016-06-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens Slightly in April
South Korea recorded a USD8.80 billion trade surplus in April of 2016, compared to a USD8.45 billion surplus a year earlier, as imports dropped more than exports, preliminary dt showed.
Published on 2016-05-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in March
South Korea recorded a USD9.80 billion trade surplus in March of 2016, as compared to a USD8.38 billion surplus a year earlier, as imports dropped more than exports.
Published on 2016-04-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Beats Estimates
South Korea recorded a USD7.39 billion trade surplus in February of 2016, as compared to a USD7.71 billion surplus a year earlier and well above market expectations, as imports dropped more than exports.
Published on 2016-03-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Below Forecast in January
South Korea recorded a trade surplus of USD 5.3 billion in January of 2016, virtually unchanged from a year earlier and below market expectations of USD 6.68 billion. Exports fell 18.5 percent year-on-year, the biggest decrease since August of 2009. Also, imports went down by 20.1 percent.
Published on 2016-02-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in December
South Korea trade surplus was at USD7.2 billion in December of 2015, up from USD5.55 billion a year earlier but below market expectations, as imports fell more than exports.
Published on 2016-01-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Reach Record High
South Korea trade surplus widened to USD 10.4 billion in November of 2015, higher than a USD 5.3 billion surplus a year earlier, the highest on record.
Published on 2015-12-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Korea trade surplus was at USD6.70 billion in October of 2015, down from USD7.53 billion a year earlier and missing market forecasts, as imports fell more than exports.
Published on 2015-11-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in September
South Korea trade surplus was at USD8.9 billion in September of 2015, up from USD3.3 billion a year earlier and beating market expectations. It is the second-largest trade surplus in record, as imports dropped more than exports.
Published on 2015-10-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Below Forecasts in August
South Korea trade surplus was at USD4.3 billion in August of 2015, up from USD3.3 billion a year earlier but missing market forecasts, as exports plunged 14.7 percent.
Published on 2015-09-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Falls from Record High
South Korea trade surplus was at USD 7.76 billion in July of 2015, up from USD 2.34 billion a year earlier but missing market forecasts, as imports fell more than exports.
Published on 2015-08-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Hits Fresh Record High in June
South Korea trade surplus was at USD 10.25 billion in June of 2015, up from USD 5.35 billion a year earlier and beating market consensus. It is the largest surplus on record, as imports fell more than exports.
Published on 2015-07-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Falls from Record High in May
South Korea trade surplus was at USD 6.32 billion in May of 2015, up from USD 4.97 billion a year earlier but significantly down from a record high of USD 8.48 billion in the preceding month, as imports fell more than exports.
Published on 2015-06-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Hits Fresh Record High in April
South Korea trade surplus widened to USD 8.49 billion in April of 2015 from USD 4.39 billion a year earlier, reaching new all time high, as exports and imports fell more than expected.
Published on 2015-05-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Hits Record High in March
South Korea trade surplus widened to USD 8.39 billion in March of 2015 from USD 3.50 billion a year earlier, reaching an all time high, as imports fell more than exports.
Published on 2015-04-01

South Korea Records USD 5.53 Billion Trade Surplus
South Korea trade surplus widened to USD 5.53 billion in January of 2015 from USD 0.73 billion a year earlier and above market expectations, as imports fell at a faster pace than exports.
Published on 2015-02-02

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in December
South Korea recorded a USD 5.78 billion trade surplus in December of 2014, up from a revised USD 5.51 billion in the previous month and from USD 3.63 billion a year earlier, as exports unexpectedly rose while imports fell further.
Published on 2015-01-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in November
South Korea recorded a USD 5.61 billion trade surplus in November of 2014, compared with a USD 4.79 billion surplus a year earlier. Exports dropped unexpectedly 1.9 percent while imports declined 4 percent.
Published on 2014-12-01

South Korea Trade Surplus at Record High in October
In October of 2014, South Korean trade surplus increased sharply to USD 7.50 billion from USD 4.87 billion a year earlier, boosted by increased demand from the US and China. Enjoying the black balance since February of 2012, the country saw the latest trade surplus is the largest in history.
Published on 2014-11-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in September
South Korean trade surplus declined to USD 3.36 billion in September of 2014 from USD 3.59 billion a year earlier, marking the 32nd straight month of surplus, as imports grew faster than exports. In August, the country posted a revised USD 3.37 billion trade surplus.
Published on 2014-10-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Shrinks in August
South Korean trade surplus declined to USD 3.40 billion in August of 2014 from USD 4.72 billion a year earlier as imports rose, while exports went down slightly.
Published on 2014-09-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in July
South Korean trade surplus fell to USD 2.52 billion in July of 2014 from a revised USD 5.45 billion surplus in the previous month due to a surge in imports, but remained almost unchanged from USD 2.45 billion a year earlier.
Published on 2014-08-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in June
South Korea trade surplus declined to USD 5.29 billion in June of 2014 from USD 5.97 billion a year earlier as imports grew faster than exports.
Published on 2014-07-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows on Lower Exports
South Korean trade surplus decreased to USD 5.35 billion in May of 2014 from USD 5.92 billion in the same month a year earlier. Exports recorded the first annual decline since the beginning of the year and the sharpest since September of 2013.
Published on 2014-06-02

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens to 5-Month High
In April of 2014, South Korean trade surplus increased to USD 4.46 billion, up from USD 4.16 billion in the previous month and USD 2.5 billion a year earlier, as exports recorded the highest annual increase in fifteen months.
Published on 2014-05-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 25.7% YoY in March
South Korean trade surplus increased to USD 4.19 billion in March of 2014, up from a USD 933 million surplus in the previous month and USD 3.33 billion surplus a year earlier. Exports jumped to the second-highest value on record due to higher demand from the US and the EU.
Published on 2014-04-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows over a Year Earlier
In February of 2014, South Korean trade surplus decreased for the second straight month to USD 926 million, down from USD 1.9 billion a year earlier. Sales in January and February usually show volatility due to the Lunar New Year holidays.
Published on 2014-03-03

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in January
In January of 2014, South Korean trade surplus decreased to USD 735 million, the lowest surplus in twelve months. Exports shrank for the first time in four months by an annual 0.2 percent due to lower working days. Sales in January and February usually show volatility due to the Lunar New Year holidays.
Published on 2014-02-03

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 104% YoY in December
In December of 2013, South Korean trade surplus rose to USD 3.7 billion, up from USD 1.8 billion a year ago. Improving demand from the U.S. and China and a day-and-a-half of extra working days compared with a year ago boosted exports.
Published on 2014-01-02

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in November Over a Year Earlier
In November of 2013, South Korean trade surplus slightly increased to 4.8 billion USD, from 4.4 billion USD a year earlier, as exports rose at a weaker-than-expected pace, hurt by lower sales to Japan and the Asean countries.
Published on 2013-12-02

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in October on Record Exports
In October of 2013, South Korean trade surplus increased to 4.9 billion USD, up from 3.7 billion USD a year earlier. Exports surged 7.3 percent year-on-year and reached the highest value on record, boosted by increased demand for mobile phones and cars from the US and the EU.
Published on 2013-11-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in September Over a Year Earlier
In September of 2013, South Korean trade surplus reached 3.71 billion USD, down from 4.82 billion USD in the previous month, but up from 2.9 billion USD a year earlier. While fewer working days led exports to fall for the first time in three months by an annual 1.5 percent, imports dropped at a a faster pace of 3.6 percent.
Published on 2013-10-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in August on Rising Exports
In August of 2013, South Korean trade surplus increased to 4.9 billion USD, from 1.95 billion USD a year earlier, boosted by higher smartphone sales to the US.
Published on 2013-09-02

South Korea Trade Surplus at $ 2.7B in July
In July of 2013, South Korean trade surplus slightly increased to 2.71 billion USD, from 2.69 billion USD a year earlier. While exports recovered on the back of higher China and EU demand, imports grew in July for the first time in six months and at a faster pace than exports.
Published on 2013-08-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in June Over a Year Earlier
In June of 2013, South Korean trade surplus increased to 5.9 billion USD, from 5.1 billion USD a year earlier as exports declined less than imports.
Published on 2013-07-15

South Korea Reports the Highest Trade Surplus in Nearly 3 Years
South Korea's trade surplus increased to 5.9B USD in May of 2013, from 2.4B USD in the previous month. The sharp growth came as exports expanded on the back of surge in smartphone shipments and higher demand from the US and China.
Published on 2013-06-14

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in April
In April of 2013, South Korea recorded a trade surplus of 2.6 billion USD, down from 3.3 billion USD recorded in March, as exports dropped by 2.4 percent over the previous month. Year-on- year, exports rose for the second month in a row.
Published on 2013-05-02

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in March
South Korea posted a $3.36 billion trade surplus in March of 2013. While exports posted a slight gain on the back of strong demand from emerging economies and robust sales of IT products, imports declined mainly due to a sharp fall in consumer goods. The country's trade balance has been in surplus since February of 2012.
Published on 2013-04-02

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in February
South Korea posted a $2.06 billion trade surplus for the 13th straight month in February. Exports were down 8.6 percent to $42.32 billion year-on-year due to the Lunar New Year holiday and imports fell by a wider margin of 10.7 percent to $40.26 billion.
Published on 2013-03-07

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in January
South Korea recorded a $870 million trade surplus in January, which represents a month-over-month decrease of 5.2 percent but a an increase of 3.6 percent from the same month of the previous year.
Published on 2013-02-08

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in December
South Korea recorded a $2.0 billion surplus in December, with exports declining 5.5 percent to $45.1 billion and imports falling 5.3 percent to $43.1 billion.
Published on 2013-01-21

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens in November
South Korea's trade surplus totaled $4.5 billion, up from $3.7 billion in October. Despite unfavorable economic conditions, both exports and imports continued their upward trend.
Published on 2012-12-14