South Korea Trade Surplus Reaches New Record

South Korea's trade surplus surged to a fresh record of USD 25.74 billion in March 2026, up from USD 4.99 billion in the same month a year earlier, beating market expectations of a USD 21.2 billion surplus and marking a 14th consecutive month in the black, flash data showed. Exports jumped 48.3% year-on-year to a new peak of USD 86.13 billion for the month, exceeding forecasts of 44.9% and accelerating sharply from February’s downwardly revised 28.7% rise. This marked the strongest growth since August 1988, with exports surpassing USD 80 billion for the first time, mainly boosted by semiconductors. Meanwhile, imports climbed 13.2%, softer than expectations of 18% but accelerating from a 7.5% increase in February, marking a fifth consecutive month of expansion, supported by resilient domestic demand.

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.