Fueled by a semiconductor supercharge, South Korea clinched its fifth-highest monthly current account surplus of $13.26 billion in January, per Bank of Korea figures—a slight pullback from December’s $18.7 billion but a 397.4% leap from last January.
The 33-month surplus run since May 2023 now ranks as history’s second longest. Goods account dazzled at $15.17 billion (third all-time), exports $65.51 billion (+30% YoY), imports $50.34 billion (+7%). Chips up 102.5%, vehicles 19%.
Services posted -$3.8 billion on travel boom; primary income +$2.72 billion from dividends; secondary -$830 million.
Net assets +$5.63 billion. Overseas direct investment by Koreans +$7.04 billion, foreign FDI in Korea +$5.34 billion. Korean stock buys abroad +$13.46 billion, foreign buys in Korea +$4.69 billion.
With 2025’s annual $123.05 billion topping 2015’s $105.1 billion, South Korea’s export might is clear. Yet, as global demand fluctuates and service deficits grow, sustaining this trajectory demands innovation and policy agility. Analysts predict steady momentum if tech exports hold firm.