South Korea posted a record current account surplus for any August, reaching $9.15 billion, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). This extends the country’s 28-month streak of monthly surpluses since May 2023, although the figure declined from $10.78 billion in July. In the first eight months of 2025, the cumulative surplus totaled $69.3 billion, up from $55.94 billion during the same period last year. The goods account contributed a $9.4 billion surplus in August, one of the largest ever for the month, despite exports falling 1.8% year-on-year to $56.44 billion due to weak demand for steel and chemical products. Imports dropped 7.3% to $47.04 billion, mainly because of lower global energy prices. Meanwhile, the services account showed a $2.12 billion deficit, largely reflecting increased overseas travel, and the primary income account, which includes foreign wages, dividends, and interest income, posted a $2.07 billion surplus. The BOK expects the surplus to expand further in September, likely exceeding $10 billion, supported by strong semiconductor and automobile exports. Despite the introduction of a new U.S. tariff scheme, its impact has so far been limited due to inventory use and diversified import sources. Officials noted that the semiconductor sector is performing well and oil prices remain stable, but the full effect of tariffs on exports to the U.S. may appear gradually over time.   (ICE SEOUL)

Fonte notizia: Yonhap News