South Korea’s economic momentum weakened in the second quarter of 2026, with quarter‑on‑quarter GDP growth slowing to 0.6%, down from 1.7% in the first quarter of 2026. The data, updated on 22 July 2026, highlight a clear deceleration after a comparatively strong start to the year.
The figures are based on quarter‑over‑quarter comparisons, meaning the current 0.6% reading reflects the change in GDP from the first to the second quarter of 2026, while the previous 1.7% figure captured growth from the final quarter of 2025 into the first quarter of 2026. The sharp slowdown suggests that the drivers that boosted growth early in the year have lost some steam, and markets are likely to scrutinize upcoming indicators for signs of whether this softer trend will persist into the second half of the year.
