South Korea’s economy flexed its muscles in January with a $13.26 billion current account surplus, fifth-highest monthly on record per Bank of Korea. Down from December but up 397.4% year-over-year, it extends a 33-month surplus series – history’s second longest.
The 2025 annual peak of $123.05 billion already rewrote records, beating 2015.
At the core, goods surplus hit $15.17 billion (third-ever monthly). Exports soared to $65.51 billion (+30%), imports to $50.34 billion (+7%). Semiconductors doubled (+102.5%), vehicles up 19%.
Services posted $3.8 billion deficit on travel surge. Primary income surplus of $2.72 billion from overseas earnings balanced a $830 million secondary deficit.
Net financial assets grew $5.63 billion. Overseas direct investment by Koreans: +$7.04 billion. Foreign direct into Korea: +$5.34 billion. Korean stock buys abroad: +$13.46 billion. Foreign buys local: +$4.69 billion.
This performance highlights strategic export focus, especially tech, bolstering South Korea’s global financial standing amid headwinds.