South Korea Posts Largest Trade Surplus Since 2018

South Korea's trade surplus surged to a record USD 15.51 billion in February 2026 from USD 4.15 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations of a USD 10 billion surplus and marking a 13th consecutive month in the black, flash data showed. Exports rose 29% yoy to a new peak of USD 67.45 billion for the month, exceeding forecasts of 24% but easing from January’s 33.8% surge due to fewer working days amid the Lunar New Year holiday. The latest reading also signaled a ninth straight month of export growth, underpinned by strong global demand, particularly for semiconductors. Meanwhile, imports increased at a softer 7.5%, missing expectations of 13% and slowing from an 11.6% gain in January, though still posting a fourth consecutive month of expansion, supported by resilient domestic demand ahead of the holiday. However, analysts warn March’s trade outlook could be clouded by heightened geopolitical risk after coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

South Korea posted a trade surplus of USD 8.74 billion in January 2026, shifting from a USD 1.89 billion deficit a year earlier and surpassing expectations of a USD 4.6 billion surplus, according to preliminary data, as exports surged. Outbound shipments jumped 33.9% year-on-year to USD 65.85 billion, the strongest growth since August 2021, accelerating sharply from a downwardly revised 13.3% increase in December and exceeding forecasts of a 29.9% rise. The growth was mainly driven by robust demand for semiconductors, the country’s top export item, which soared 102.7% year-on-year on strong AI-related demand. The increase was also supported by a higher number of working days compared with January last year. It also marked the highest January figure on record and the first time January exports exceeded USD 60 billion. Meanwhile, imports rose 11.7% to USD 57.10 billion, following a 4.6% gain in December but coming in below expectations of 14.6% growth.

South Korea’s trade surplus widened to USD 12.18 billion in December 2025, up from USD 6.49 billion a year earlier and surpassing expectations of USD 10 billion, according to preliminary data. It was the largest monthly trade surplus since April 2017, as exports rose much more than imports. Outbound shipments surged 13.4% from a year earlier to a record USD 69.58 billion, the strongest growth since July 2024, accelerating from an 8.4% rise in November and exceeding forecasts of an 8.3% increase. The gains were mainly driven by a 43.2% surge in semiconductor exports, amid easing concerns over global trade uncertainty. Meanwhile, imports climbed 4.6% to an all-time high of USD 57.40 billion, following a downwardly revised 1.1% rise in November and topping market expectations of a 2.4% gain. For the full year of 2025, the country posted a trade surplus of USD 78 billion, with exports rising 3.8% to a record USD 709.7 billion, while imports edged down 0.02% to USD 631.7 billion.