Seoul: South Korea logged a current account surplus for the fifth month in a row in September, propelled by strong export performance, data from the central bank revealed on Thursday. The nation recorded a current account surplus of US$11.12 billion in September, following a $6.5 billion surplus in August, according to data compiled by the Bank of Korea.According to Yonhap News Agency, the goods account of South Korea registered a $10.67 billion surplus in September, up from a $6.52 billion surplus in the preceding month. South Korea's exports increased by 9.9 percent year-on-year in September, reaching $61.67 billion, while imports rose by 4.9 percent to $51 billion, based on the central bank's data.The primary income account, which includes wages of foreign workers, dividend payments, and interest income from overseas, showed a surplus of $3.09 billion in September, following a $1.69 billion surplus in August, the data indicated. However, the services account deficit widened to $2.24 billion from a $1.2 3 billion deficit in the previous month, the data showed.For the first nine months of the year, South Korea accumulated a current account surplus of $64.64 billion, significantly surpassing the $16.75 billion surplus recorded during the same period last year. The Bank of Korea projected that this year's current account surplus could exceed earlier expectations, potentially reaching $73 billion.A Bank of Korea official noted that October is also likely to reflect a substantial current account surplus, potentially prompting an adjustment of this year's estimates within the month. Concerning the depreciation of the Korean won, the official indicated that the currency's decline would have a limited impact on exports, though it might slightly reduce the current account surplus and contribute to inflationary pressures.
- October 12, 2026
