Strong semiconductor demand in September helped the current account surplus break USD 60 billion in a monthly first. Shown are containers for exports at Pyeongtaek-Dangjin Port in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Yonhap News)
By Yoon Sojung
The current account surplus in September surpassed USD 60 billion for the first time thanks to the semiconductor boom.
The Bank of Korea on Nov. 5 released preliminary balance of payments data saying the black figure for the month reached a monthly record of USD 61.46 billion.
This easily broke the previous mark of USD 49.73 billion set in June.
The cumulative surplus from January to September was USD 340.66 billion, more than four times the USD 83.89 billion posted in the same period last year.
Major news outlets including Yonhap News reported that the central bank predicted that the surplus for 2026 will exceed its previous forecast of USD 450 billion made in August.
The September goods account posted a record-high surplus of USD 63.75 billion. Exports surged 92.4% to USD 130.72 billion and imports rose 29.4% to USD 67.97 billion year on year.
Led by strong demand for information and communication technology (ICT) devices and non-ICT items, merchandise exports surpassed USD 100 billion for the fourth consecutive month to break an all-time high. Semiconductor exports alone jumped 260.3% to USD 60.5 billion.
By market, exports rose in all regions except the Middle and Latin America, with growth led by the U.S. (136.9%), China (123.1%) and Southeast Asia (113.2%).
Imports reached USD 71.08 billion on a customs clearance basis, up 26% from USD 24.49 billion. Those of raw materials rose 21.3% to USD 29.7 billion and those of capital goods grew 42.3% to USD 31.09 billion.
Net assets in the financial account saw a record-high jump of USD 54.24 billion. Fueled by sustained net buying of equities and record bond investments, investment in foreign securities by Korean nationals reached USD 11.43 billion, second in history only to USD 17.29 billion in October last year.
arete@korea.kr
