South Korea’s trade surplus soared to an all-time high of USD 15.51 billion in February 2026, up from USD 4.15 billion in the same month a year earlier. The result far exceeded market expectations of a USD 10 billion surplus and marked the 13th consecutive month in positive territory.
On a year-on-year basis, exports climbed 29%, beating the consensus forecast of 24%, after surging 33.8% in January. The data signaled the ninth straight month of expansion in outbound shipments, underpinned by strong external demand.
Imports also increased, but at a more moderate pace of 7.5%, below market projections of 13% and easing from an 11.6% rise in January. Even so, the latest reading represented the fourth consecutive month of growth in inbound shipments, supported by steady domestic demand ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
