SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – A historic current account surplus of $49.73 billion was achieved by South Korea in June, driven by a significant rise in semiconductor exports. The Bank of Korea announced a notable jump from the previous record of $38.61 billion set in May. This month also marked the continuation of a surplus streak that has now lasted for 38 consecutive months. The surge was largely fueled by robust goods exports, with technology shipments taking the lead in boosting international sales.
For the first half of the year, the current account surplus amounted to $191.01 billion, establishing a new record for January through June. This figure compares to $47.87 billion during the same period last year. It also surpasses South Korea’s entire 2025 surplus of $123.05 billion. The increase in exports gained momentum as global demand for semiconductors and other tech products supported the country’s trade balance during this period.
South Korea’s merchandise account recorded a historic surplus of $47.89 billion in June. Exports measured under balance-of-payments standards rose by 84.5% year-on-year to $112.37 billion, while imports grew by 38.6% to $64.48 billion in the same month. This growth differential between exports and imports contributed to the record-high monthly merchandise balance and was the primary factor behind the overall current account surplus.
Technology exports, led by semiconductors, fuel growth
Exports of semiconductors soared 196.9% compared to the previous year, marking the largest increase among key technology categories. Computer peripheral exports experienced a 282.7% rise, while overall information technology exports increased by 160.4% during June. Contributing to the surge in computer peripheral exports were shipments of solid-state drives and related equipment. Non-technology exports also increased by 18.6%, with petroleum and chemical products among the categories showing higher shipment volumes compared to June 2025.
According to separate customs data, South Korean exports reached a total of $102.25 billion in June, representing a 70.9% increase from the previous year. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources noted that semiconductor exports for the month amounted to approximately $44.82 billion. Imports rose by 30.1% to $66.10 billion, resulting in a customs trade surplus of $36.15 billion. It is important to note that customs trade figures differ from balance-of-payments data due to variations in accounting methods and coverage standards.
Services sector’s deficit mitigates overall gains
A $1.29 billion deficit in the services account was recorded in June, partially offsetting the large surplus generated by goods trade. The travel account posted a $440 million surplus, marking its second month in a row of positive results. The primary income account added a $3.27 billion surplus during the same period, with dividend income comprising $2.56 billion of that total. Meanwhile, the financial account showed a net asset increase of $46.71 billion.
Trade figures for July continued to reflect positive momentum following June’s record current account outcome. South Korea’s exports for July reached $98.89 billion, a 62.8% increase compared to the previous year. Exports of semiconductors jumped by 179%, while imports increased by 26.5% to $68.56 billion. The month concluded with a customs trade surplus of $30.32 billion, reinforcing the strong export trend that supported the record current account surplus reported the previous month.