In July, the current account surplus reached $10.78 billion, the highest for that month, driven by semiconductor exports and other factors.

Trade balance at $10.27 billion…Down $2.9 billion from June but 3rd highest for July
Service balance deficit at $2.14 billion… Dividend income balance surplus at $2.58 billion,
,
,

July current account balance at $10.78 billion…Record high for July due to semiconductor exports
(Pyeongtaek=Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Gi-won Aug. 26, 2025 xanadu@yna.co.kr,
,
, ‘ (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Ho-kyung = With strong exports of semiconductors and automobiles, South Korea sustained a current account surplus for the 27th consecutive month in July.’,
,
, ‘ According to the provisional balance of payments statistics released by the Bank of Korea on the 4th, the July current account surplus was $10.78 billion (about 15 trillion won). ‘,
,
, ‘ Although it decreased from June ($14.27 billion), it was not only the highest ever for July but also the second-longest consecutive monthly surplus record in the 2000s at 27 months.’,
,
, ‘ The cumulative current account surplus for the year up to July (at $60.15 billion) was about 22% higher than the same period last year ($49.21 billion).’,
,
,

Monthly current account trends
[Provided by the Bank of Korea. Resale and database prohibited],
,
, ‘ By category, the trade balance surplus in July ($10.27 billion) was about $2.9 billion less than June’s $13.16 billion, which was the third highest ever on a monthly basis. However, compared to July last year ($8.52 billion), it increased by about $1.8 billion, the third highest ever for the same month.’,
,
, ‘ Exports ($59.78 billion) increased by 2.3% compared to the same month last year. This marks two consecutive months of increase compared to the previous year, although it was a 1.0% decrease from June ($60.37 billion).’,
,
, ‘ In particular, on a customs clearance basis, semiconductors (30.6%) and passenger cars (6.3%) showed high growth compared to the same month last year. On the other hand, computer peripheral devices (-17.0%) and pharmaceuticals (-11.4%) decreased.’,
,
, ‘ By region, there were strong performances in Southeast Asia (17.2%), the EU (8.7%), and the U.S. (1.5%), while there were difficulties in China (-3.0%) and Japan (-4.7%).’,
,
, ‘ Imports ($49.51 billion) decreased by 0.9% compared to the same month last year but increased by 4.9% compared to June this year.’,
,
, ‘ Energy prices were lower compared to the same month last year, but the volume of energy imports increased compared to the previous month.’,
,
, ‘ Imports of raw materials such as crude oil (-16.7%) and petroleum products (-5.8%) decreased by 4.7% compared to July last year. Conversely, imports of capital goods like semiconductor manufacturing equipment (27.7%), information and communication devices (12.6%), and semiconductors (9.4%) increased by 6.2%.’,
,
, ‘ The service balance registered a deficit of $2.14 billion. The deficit was smaller than the previous month (-$2.53 billion) and the same month last year (-$2.39 billion).’,
,
, ‘ Within the service balance, the travel account (-$900 million) saw a reduced deficit compared to June (-$1.01 billion) due to an increase in foreign travelers to Korea during the summer peak season.’,
,
, ‘ The primary income account ($2.95 billion) was about 70% of June’s $4.16 billion. This was largely affected by a decrease in dividend income from direct and securities investments, with the dividend income balance declining from $3.44 billion to $2.58 billion.’,
,
, ‘ Net international financial asset growth (assets-liabilities) increased by $11.08 billion in July.’,
,
, ‘ In direct investment, South Korean overseas investment increased by $3.41 billion, and foreign investment in South Korea increased by $1.72 billion.’,
,
, ‘ In portfolio investment, South Korean overseas investment, centered on stocks, increased by $10.1 billion, while foreign investment in Korea also increased by $7.64 billion centered on bonds. ‘,
,
, ‘ shk999@yna.co.kr’,
,
,