The Bank of Korea has published preliminary balance of payments data for March 2026 showing a current account surplus of USD 37.33 billion, bringing the January to March surplus to USD 73.78 billion. The monthly surplus was led by a USD 35.07 billion surplus in the goods account, while the financial account recorded a net asset increase of USD 36.99 billion. Goods exports rose 56.9% from a year earlier to USD 94.32 billion and imports increased 17.4% to USD 59.24 billion. The services account posted a USD 1.29 billion deficit, mainly because of deficits in other business services and manufacturing services, while the primary income account recorded a USD 3.58 billion surplus on higher income on equity and the secondary income account showed a USD 0.03 billion deficit. In the financial account, direct investment recorded a net increase of USD 5.12 billion, portfolio investment a net increase of USD 38.05 billion amid a USD 34.04 billion decrease in portfolio investment liabilities, financial derivatives increased by USD 5.60 billion, other investments fell by USD 9.93 billion, and reserve assets decreased by USD 1.85 billion.
Bank of Korea 2026-05-08
Bank of Korea reports preliminary March 2026 current account surplus of USD 37.33 billion driven by goods trade
The Bank of Korea published preliminary balance of payments data showing a current account surplus of USD 37.33 billion in March 2026, bringing the January–March surplus to USD 73.78 billion, driven by a USD 35.07 billion goods account surplus amid a 56.9% year-on-year rise in exports. The services account remained in deficit, while the primary income account was in surplus and the financial account recorded a net asset increase of USD 36.99 billion, led by higher net portfolio and direct investment.