SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – South Korea’s current account surplus reached a record $49.73 billion in June as semiconductor exports surged. The Bank of Korea reported a sharp increase from the previous record of $38.61 billion in May. June also extended the country’s current account surplus streak to 38 consecutive months. Strong goods exports accounted for most of the increase, with technology shipments leading the expansion in overseas sales.
The current account surplus for the first half reached $191.01 billion, setting a record for the January to June period. That total compared with $47.87 billion during the same six months a year earlier. The first-half figure also exceeded South Korea’s $123.05 billion surplus for all of 2025. Export growth accelerated during the period as global demand for semiconductors and other information technology products lifted the country’s trade performance.
South Korea’s goods account posted a record surplus of $47.89 billion in June. Goods exports measured under balance-of-payments standards rose 84.5% from a year earlier to $112.37 billion. Imports increased 38.6% to $64.48 billion during the same month. The difference between export and import growth helped push the goods balance to its highest monthly level and provided the largest contribution to the overall current account surplus.
Chip exports lead technology surge
Semiconductor exports climbed 196.9% from a year earlier, recording the strongest increase among major technology categories. Computer peripheral exports rose 282.7%, while total information technology exports increased 160.4% during June. Shipments of solid-state drives and related equipment contributed to the increase in computer peripheral exports. Non-technology exports also advanced 18.6%, with petroleum and chemical products among the categories that recorded higher shipments compared with June 2025.
Separate customs data showed total South Korean exports reaching $102.25 billion in June, up 70.9% from a year earlier. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources reported semiconductor exports of about $44.82 billion for the month. Imports rose 30.1% to $66.10 billion, resulting in a customs trade surplus of $36.15 billion. Customs trade figures differ from balance-of-payments figures because the two systems apply different accounting methods and coverage standards.
Services deficit offsets part of gains
The services account recorded a $1.29 billion deficit in June, partly offsetting the large surplus generated by goods trade. The travel account produced a $440 million surplus, marking its second consecutive month in positive territory. The primary income account added a $3.27 billion surplus during the month. Dividend income accounted for $2.56 billion of that total, while the financial account showed a $46.71 billion increase in net assets.
Trade figures for July showed continued gains after June’s record current account result. South Korean exports reached $98.89 billion in July, increasing 62.8% from a year earlier. Semiconductor exports rose 179%, while imports climbed 26.5% to $68.56 billion. The country recorded a $30.32 billion customs trade surplus for July, extending the strong export performance that accompanied the record current account surplus reported for the previous month.