Overview
- January’s current account surplus reached $13.26 billion, up 397.4% from a year earlier but below December’s roughly $18.7 billion.
- The goods account logged a $15.17 billion surplus as exports rose 30% year on year to $65.51 billion and imports increased 7% to $50.34 billion.
- Semiconductor shipments jumped 102.5% from a year earlier and vehicle exports rose 19%, underpinning the export rebound.
- The services account recorded a $3.8 billion deficit tied to stronger outbound travel, with the travel balance widening to a $1.74 billion shortfall from $1.4 billion in December.
- The financial account showed a $5.63 billion increase in net assets as residents bought $13.46 billion in overseas securities and foreign investors added $4.69 billion in Korean securities, extending the surplus streak to 33 months.