Key facts
- South Korea's Q2 current account surplus was $116.63 billion.
- China's surplus was $193.72 billion, ranking first.
- Germany ranked third with a surplus of $52.28 billion.
- Japan followed with a surplus of $50.62 billion.
- South Korea's semiconductor exports surged 181.6% on-year to $113.89 billion in Q2.
South Korea's current account surplus reached $116.63 billion in the second quarter, ranking second globally behind China's $193.72 billion. This figure surpassed the combined surpluses of Germany ($52.28 billion) and Japan ($50.62 billion), marking the first time this has occurred since comparable data became available in the first quarter of 1996. The substantial increase, more than quadrupling from $28.39 billion a year earlier, was primarily driven by a surge in semiconductor exports, which rose 181.6% on-year to $113.89 billion, fueled by increasing chip prices and strong global demand.