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Korea posts record August current account surplus

Published: 02 Oct. 2025, 12:13 Updated: 02 Oct. 2025, 12:16

Containers ready for export are piled up at a port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on Aug. 18. [YONHAP]

Korea posted a record current account surplus for August despite weak exports, driven by declining imports and increased equity income, the central bank said Thursday.

The country's current account surplus reached $9.15 billion in August, extending its surplus streak to the 28th consecutive month, according to data compiled by the Bank of Korea.

Korea has reported a current account surplus every month since May 2023.

It also marked the highest figure on record for any August, though the surplus narrowed from $10.78 billion posted in July.

During the first eight months of this year, the cumulative current account surplus stood at $69.3 billion, compared with $55.94 billion recorded during the same period last year.

The goods account posted a $9.4 billion surplus in August, the second largest for the month on record.

Exports fell 1.8 percent on-year to $56.44 billion amid weak demand for steel and chemical products, while imports dropped 7.3 percent to $47.04 billion on lower global energy prices.

The services account registered a $2.12 billion deficit, largely due to increased overseas travel demand.

The primary income account, which covers wages of foreign workers, as well as dividend and interest income from abroad, recorded a $2.07 billion surplus in August, the data showed.

Yonhap