South Korea’s current account surplus widened to USD 46.11 billion in August 2026, up from USD 42.08 billion in July. The goods account surplus increased to USD 46.81 billion in August from USD 40.43 billion in July, with exports surging 82.1% yoy to USD 104.80 billion, while imports climbed 23.8% to USD 57.99 billion. Exports surged, boosted by strong growth in semiconductor exports amid the global AI boom. Additionally, the services account deficit narrowed to USD 1.68 billion from USD 1.97 billion, due to smaller deficits in the use of intellectual property, while the transportation surplus increased. Meanwhile, the primary income account surplus narrowed to USD 1.92 billion from USD 4.35 billion, while the secondary income deficit increased to USD 0.94 billion from USD 0.73 billion, reflecting higher secondary income payments. For the first eight months of 2026, the current account surplus jumped to USD 279.20 billion from USD 69.67 billion in the same period of 2025. source: The Bank of Korea

South Korea recorded a Current Account surplus of 46110 USD Million in August of 2026. Current Account in South Korea averaged 2682.61 USD Million from 1900 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 49730.00 USD Million in June of 2026 and a record low of -4204.80 USD Million in January of 2023. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Korea Current Account - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Korea Current Account - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

South Korea recorded a Current Account surplus of 46110 USD Million in August of 2026. Current Account in South Korea is expected to be 45300.00 USD Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Current Account is projected to trend around 60700.00 USD Million in 2027 and 55000.00 USD Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-03 11:00 PM
Current Account
Jul $42.08B $49.73B $50.0B
2026-10-07 11:00 PM
Current Account
Aug $46.11B $42.08B $45.0B
2026-11-04 11:00 PM
Current Account
Sep $46.11B $ 40B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 49971.92 34879.27 USD Million Sep 2026
Capital Flows 40165.60 40364.10 USD Million Aug 2026
Current Account 46110.00 42080.00 USD Million Aug 2026
Current Account to GDP 6.60 5.30 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 121050.08 98373.70 USD Million Sep 2026
External Debt 812831.90 774390.20 USD Million Jun 2026
Imports 71078.17 63494.43 USD Million Sep 2026
Terms of Trade 114.38 117.23 points Sep 2026


South Korea Current Account
Current Account is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
46110.00 42080.00 49730.00 -4204.80 1900 - 2026 USD Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
South Korea Current Account Surplus Widens
South Korea’s current account surplus widened to USD 46.11 billion in August 2026, up from USD 42.08 billion in July. The goods account surplus increased to USD 46.81 billion in August from USD 40.43 billion in July, with exports surging 82.1% yoy to USD 104.80 billion, while imports climbed 23.8% to USD 57.99 billion. Exports surged, boosted by strong growth in semiconductor exports amid the global AI boom. Additionally, the services account deficit narrowed to USD 1.68 billion from USD 1.97 billion, due to smaller deficits in the use of intellectual property, while the transportation surplus increased. Meanwhile, the primary income account surplus narrowed to USD 1.92 billion from USD 4.35 billion, while the secondary income deficit increased to USD 0.94 billion from USD 0.73 billion, reflecting higher secondary income payments. For the first eight months of 2026, the current account surplus jumped to USD 279.20 billion from USD 69.67 billion in the same period of 2025.
2026-10-07
South Korea Current Account Surplus Narrows in July
South Korea’s current account surplus narrowed to USD 42.08 billion in July 2026, down from a record high of USD 49.73 billion in June. The goods account surplus fell to USD 40.43 billion in July from USD 47.89 billion in June, with exports soaring 65.3% yoy to USD 100.45 billion, while imports rose 21.7% to USD 60.02 billion. Exports surged, boosted by strong growth in semiconductor exports amid the global AI boom. The primary income account surplus increased to USD 4.35 billion from USD 3.27 billion, driven by higher income on equity. Additionally, the secondary income deficit widened to USD 0.73 billion from USD 0.14 billion, reflecting higher secondary income payments. Meanwhile, the services account deficit rose to USD 1.97 billion from USD 1.209 billion, due to larger deficits in manufacturing services and the use of intellectual property. For the 1st seven months of 2026, the current account surplus jumped to USD 233.09 billion from USD 59.82 billion in the same period of 2025.
2026-09-03
South Korea Current Account Surplus Hits Fresh Record High
South Korea’s current account surplus widened sharply to a new record high of USD 49.73 billion in June 2026, up from USD 38.61 billion in May, driven by robust growth in semiconductor exports. The goods account surplus climbed to USD 47.89 billion in June from USD 37.86 billion in May, as exports surged 84.5% year-on-year to USD 112.37 billion, outpacing the 38.6% rise in imports to USD 64.48 billion. The primary income account surplus rose to USD 3.27 billion from USD 2.17 billion, driven by higher income on equity. Additionally, the secondary income deficit narrowed to USD 0.14 billion from USD 0.33 billion, reflecting lower secondary income payments. Meanwhile, the services account deficit widened to USD 1.29 billion from USD 1.09 billion, due to larger deficits in other business services and manufacturing services. For the first half of the year, the current account surplus surged to USD 191.01 billion from USD 47.87 billion in the same period of 2025.
2026-08-05