South Korea’s economy returned to growth in the second quarter of 2026, with GDP expanding 1.8% quarter-over-quarter, according to data updated on 8 June 2026. The performance marks a sharp turnaround from the first quarter of 2026, when the economy contracted by 0.2% compared with the previous quarter.
On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the latest figures show that the second quarter’s positive momentum more than offset the mild decline seen in the first three months of the year. The previous reading of -0.2% had reflected a comparison between the first quarter of 2026 and the final quarter of the prior year, while the new 1.8% figure measures growth in the second quarter relative to the first quarter.
The move from contraction to solid quarterly expansion signals a notable shift in South Korea’s short-term growth trajectory. Investors and policymakers are likely to focus on whether this rebound can be sustained in subsequent quarters as global and domestic conditions evolve.
