South Korea’s import growth strengthened in April 2026, with inbound shipments rising 16.7% year-on-year, up from a 13.2% annual increase recorded in March 2026, according to data updated on 1 May 2026.
Both figures represent year-on-year comparisons, measuring the change in each month’s imports relative to the same month a year earlier. The acceleration from March to April suggests a further pickup in external demand or domestic activity driving higher demand for foreign goods and inputs. Market participants will now be watching whether this momentum in import growth continues in the coming months as an indicator of the broader trajectory of South Korea’s economy.
