The Bank of Korea published its preliminary balance of payments data for May 2026, showing a current account surplus of USD 38.61 billion. The surplus was driven mainly by the goods account, which posted a USD 37.86 billion surplus, while the services account remained in deficit at USD 1.09 billion. The primary income account recorded a USD 2.17 billion surplus and the secondary income account showed a USD 0.33 billion deficit. Exports in the goods account rose 62.9% from a year earlier to USD 94.34 billion, while imports increased 22.2% to USD 56.48 billion. The services deficit reflected shortfalls in other business services and manufacturing services. On the financial account, net assets increased by USD 31.08 billion in May. Portfolio investment accounted for most of that increase, with assets rising by USD 6.24 billion and liabilities falling by USD 24.65 billion, producing a net increase of USD 30.89 billion. Direct investment recorded a net increase of USD 1.87 billion, other investments showed a net decrease of USD 0.19 billion, financial derivatives rose by USD 0.24 billion, and reserve assets decreased by USD 1.73 billion.
Bank of Korea2026-07-08
Bank of Korea reports preliminary May 2026 current account surplus of USD 38.61 billion
The Bank of Korea's preliminary balance of payments data for May 2026 showed a current account surplus of USD 38.61 billion, led by a USD 37.86 billion goods surplus. Exports rose 62.9% year on year to USD 94.34 billion and imports increased 22.2% to USD 56.48 billion. In the financial account, net assets increased by USD 31.08 billion, mainly because of portfolio investment flows.