South Korea’s current account surplus widened to $23.19 billion in February 2026 from $13.26 billion in January. This marked the largest monthly surplus on record, surpassing the previous high of $18.7 billion set in December 2025, driven by strong semiconductor exports, which boosted the goods balance before the Middle East war began to disrupt global energy markets and shipping. The goods account surplus rose to a record $23.36 billion from $15.17 billion in the previous month, as exports surged 29.9% year-on-year to $70.37 billion, far outpacing a 4.0% rise in imports to $47.0 billion. The services account deficit narrowed to $1.86 billion from $3.80 billion, supported by smaller shortfalls in travel and the use of intellectual property. Meanwhile, the primary income surplus edged down to $2.48 billion from $2.72 billion, reflecting a drop in income on equity. The secondary income deficit also fell slightly to $0.79 billion from $0.83 billion. source: The Bank of Korea

South Korea recorded a Current Account surplus of 23190 USD Million in February of 2026. Current Account in South Korea averaged 2275.52 USD Million from 1900 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 23190.00 USD Million in February 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 April of 2026.

South Korea recorded a Current Account surplus of 23190 USD Million in February of 2026. Current Account in South Korea is expected to be 12700.00 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 8700.00 USD Million in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-05 11:00 PM
Current Account
Jan $13.26B $18.7B $5.0B
2026-04-07 11:00 PM
Current Account
Feb $23.19B $13.26B $14.0B
2026-05-07 11:00 PM
Current Account
Mar $23.19B $ 11.4B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 25740.00 15380.00 USD Million Mar 2026
Capital Flows 5713.10 23771.30 USD Million Jan 2026
Current Account 23190.00 13260.00 USD Million Feb 2026
Current Account to GDP 6.60 5.30 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 86130.00 67450.00 USD Million Mar 2026
External Debt 766866.50 738080.90 USD Million Dec 2025
Imports 60400.00 51940.00 USD Million Mar 2026
Terms of Trade 102.47 101.47 points Feb 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
23190.00 13260.00 23190.00 -4204.80 1900 - 2026 USD Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
South Korea Posts Record Current Account Surplus
South Korea’s current account surplus widened to $23.19 billion in February 2026 from $13.26 billion in January. This marked the largest monthly surplus on record, surpassing the previous high of $18.7 billion set in December 2025, driven by strong semiconductor exports, which boosted the goods balance before the Middle East war began to disrupt global energy markets and shipping. The goods account surplus rose to a record $23.36 billion from $15.17 billion in the previous month, as exports surged 29.9% year-on-year to $70.37 billion, far outpacing a 4.0% rise in imports to $47.0 billion. The services account deficit narrowed to $1.86 billion from $3.80 billion, supported by smaller shortfalls in travel and the use of intellectual property. Meanwhile, the primary income surplus edged down to $2.48 billion from $2.72 billion, reflecting a drop in income on equity. The secondary income deficit also fell slightly to $0.79 billion from $0.83 billion.
2026-04-08
South Korea Current Account Surplus Falls in January
South Korea’s current account surplus narrowed to $13.26 billion in January 2026 from $18.7 billion in December, marking the 33rd consecutive month that the country recorded a surplus and the second-longest streak in its history. It was also the fifth-largest current account surplus ever recorded for the month of January, supported by a semiconductor upcycle and resilient export performance. The goods account posted a net $15.17 billion surplus as exports surged 30.0% year-on-year to $65.51 billion, while imports rose 7.0% to $50.34 billion over the same period. Meanwhile, the services account recorded a $3.80 billion deficit, largely due to shortfalls in the travel and other business services accounts. The primary income account registered a $2.72 billion surplus, reflecting higher income from equity investments. The secondary income account, however, posted a $0.83 billion deficit.
2026-03-05
South Korea Logs Record Current Account Surplus in 2025
South Korea’s current account surplus jumped to $123.05 billion in 2025 from $99.97 billion the previous year, marking the largest annual surplus on record on robust exports, particularly in semiconductors. The result surpassed both the previous high of $105.1 billion in 2015 and the Bank of Korea’s forecast of $115 billion. In December, the country posted a record monthly surplus of $18.7 billion, up from $12.9 billion in November. The goods account contributed $18.85 billion, as exports rose 13.1% year-on-year to $71.65 billion, while imports grew 1.7% to $52.8 billion. The services account recorded a $3.69 billion deficit, largely due to increased demand for overseas travel during the winter vacation season. Meanwhile, the primary income account—which tracks wages of foreign workers, dividend payments, and interest income—posted a $4.73 billion surplus, up sharply from November’s $1.53 billion.
2026-02-06