Macro EconomyMedium•5 November 2026•
1 min read
South Korea Current Account Hits Record $61.46 Billion Surplus on Chip Export Surge
Key Facts
1South Korea's current account balance recorded a record-high surplus of $61.46 billion in September.
2Semiconductor exports surged 260.3% year-on-year to reach $60.5 billion.
South Korea's current account balance recorded a record-high surplus of $61.46 billion in September 2026. Money Today reported that the surge was driven by semiconductor exports jumping 260.3% year-on-year to reach $60.5 billion, as global demand for AI infrastructure continues to fuel the nation's trade performance.
The record surplus follows data from November 1, 2026, showing annual exports grew by 93.7%, exceeding the 93.2% forecast. While the Manufacturing PMI stood at 51.3 on November 2, 2026, the technology sector's momentum has bolstered the trade balance even as the annual inflation rate moderated to 2.8% during the same period.