South Korea’s current account surplus narrowed to $13.26 billion in January 2026 from $18.7 billion in December, marking the 33rd consecutive month of surplus and the second-longest streak on record. It was also the fifth-largest current account surplus ever recorded for January, underpinned by a semiconductor upcycle and resilient export performance.
The goods account posted a surplus of $15.17 billion, as exports jumped 30.0% year-on-year to $65.51 billion, while imports rose 7.0% to $50.34 billion over the same period.
By contrast, the services account recorded a $3.80 billion deficit, driven mainly by shortfalls in travel and other business services. The primary income account registered a $2.72 billion surplus, reflecting higher returns on equity investments, while the secondary income account posted a $0.83 billion deficit.
