FX.co ★ South Korea Q3 GDP Growth Revised Slightly Higher

In the three-month period ending September 2025, South Korea’s economy experienced a quarter-on-quarter growth of 1.3%, marginally surpassing the preliminary estimate of 1.2% and marking the most robust expansion in nearly four years. This growth was underpinned by strong export performance and robust private consumption. Household expenditures increased by 1.3%, with notable spending on goods like motor vehicles and communication equipment, alongside services such as dining and healthcare. Government consumption also rose by 1.3%, fueled by heightened spending on goods and healthcare benefits. Construction investment saw a 0.6% increase, primarily due to advancements in civil engineering, while investments in facilities surged by 2.6% owing to increased machinery purchases, including equipment for semiconductor production. Exports grew by 2.1%, driven by substantial shipments of semiconductors and motor vehicles, whereas imports went up by 2.0%, reflecting increased imports of machinery, equipment, and vehicles. On a year-over-year basis, the economy expanded by 1.8% in the third quarter, slightly improving from the initial estimate of 1.7%.