In April 2025, South Korea's trade surplus rose significantly to USD 4.88 billion, compared to USD 1.53 billion in April of the previous year, and exceeded market predictions of USD 4.40 billion, according to preliminary data. This increase was driven by a rise in exports and a decline in imports. Exports saw an unexpected year-on-year growth of 3.7%, surpassing market expectations of a 1.6% decrease, following a downwardly revised increase of 3.0% in the preceding month. Conversely, imports fell by 2.3%, which is a reversal from the 2.3% growth observed in the prior month, and contrary to market projections of a 6.9% decline.