South Korea’s imports surged 11.7% year-over-year in January 2026, sharply accelerating from a 4.6% gain in December 2025, according to data updated on 1 February 2026. The figures are based on a year-over-year comparison, measuring January’s import growth against the same month a year earlier, while December’s reading reflects a similar comparison to December of the prior year.
The jump from 4.6% to 11.7% suggests a strong pickup in external demand or higher import prices, and may signal improving domestic activity if driven by intermediate and capital goods. Market participants will be watching subsequent releases closely to assess whether this marks the start of a sustained upswing in South Korea’s trade cycle or a one-off spike tied to specific sectors or pricing effects.
