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South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in December
South Korea's trade surplus narrowed to USD 2.02 billion in December 2019 from USD 4.18 billion in the same month a year earlier, preliminary data showed. This was the smallest trade surplus since August, as exports tumbled 5.2 percent, largely due to the US-China conflict, but fell less compared to an annual 14.4 percent decline in November. Meanwhile, imports dropped at a softer much softer pace of 0.7 percent compared to a 13.0 percent plunge in the previous month. Considering 2019 full year, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 39.19 billion from USD 69.66 billion in 2018.
Published on 2020-01-01

South Korea Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 3 Months
South Korea's trade surplus narrowed to USD 3.37 billion in November 2019 from USD 4.67 billion in the same month a year earlier, preliminary data showed. This was the smallest trade surplus since August, as exports tumbled 14.3 percent, largely due due to the US-China conflict, and an extended plunge in semiconductor prices. Meanwhile, imports dropped at a softer 13.0 percent.
Published on 2019-12-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Korea's trade surplus narrowed to USD 5.39 billion in October 2019 from USD 6.38 billion in the same month a year earlier and compared to market expectations of a 3.51 billion surplus, preliminary data showed. Exports tumbled 14.7 percent, the biggest fall in nearly four years, largely due to the US-China conflict, as well as the stagnant semiconductor sector and a slowdown in the global economy. Meanwhile, imports dropped 14.6 percent.
Published on 2019-11-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply
South Korea's trade surplus narrowed to USD 5.97 billion in September 2019 from USD 9.62 billion in the same month a year earlier, a preliminary data showed. Exports tumbled 11.7 percent amid deteriorating external conditions, including the US-China trade tensions. Meanwhile, imports dropped 5.6 percent. Considering the first nine months of 2019, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 28.80 billion from USD 54.43 billion in the corresponding period the prior year.
Published on 2019-10-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Smallest in 7 Months
South Korea's trade surplus plunged to USD 1.72 billion in August 2019 from USD 6.82 billion in the same month a year earlier, a preliminary data showed. This was the smallest trade surplus since January, as exports tumbled 13.6 percent amid deteriorating external conditions, including the US-China trade tensions and disputes with Japan. Meanwhile, imports slumped 4.2 percent. Considering the first eight months of 2019, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 23.16 billion from USD 44.81 billion in the corresponding period the prior year.
Published on 2019-09-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows as Exports Slump
South Korea's trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 2.44 billion in July 2019 from USD 6.89 billion in the same month last year as exports tumbled 11 percent on the back of US-China trade dispute and Japan's exports restrictions, while imports declined at a softer 2.7 percent. Considering January to July, the trade surplus shrank to USD 21.64 billion from USD 37.99 billion in the same period of 2018.
Published on 2019-08-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in June
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed to USD 4.17 billion in June 2019 from USD 6.08 billion in the same month a year earlier, a preliminary data showed, as exports fell more than imports, amid weakening global demand. Exports declined 13.5 percent year-on-year to USD 44.18 billion, worse than market consensus of a 12 percent decrease and faster than an upwardly revised 9.5 percent fall in May. Imports dropped 11.1 percent to USD 40.01 billion, accelerating from a marginally revised 1.8 percent fall in the previous month and compared with market consensus of a 10.1 percent decline. For the first half of the year, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 19.5 billion from USD 37.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2018, as exports fell 8.4 percent on year to USD 271.5 billion while imports declined at a softer 5.1 percent to USD 252 billion.
Published on 2019-06-30

South Korea Trade Surplus Far Below Estimates in May
South Korea’s trade surplus plunged to USD 2.27 billion in May 2019 from USD 6.23 billion in the same month a year earlier and missing market expectations of a surplus of USD 5.07 billion, a preliminary data showed. This was the smallest trade surplus since January, mainly due to a slump in exports, amid weakening global demand and the prolonged Sino-US trade dispute as well as Brexit uncertainties. The latest data came in hours after US President Donald threatened to impose tariffs on all Mexican imports from June 10 in an attempt to reduce the flow of illegal migrants, prompting fears of recession in the major economies. Considering the first five months of the year, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 15.6 billion from USD 25.02 billion in the corresponding period 2018.
Published on 2019-06-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in April
South Korea’s trade surplus decreased to USD 4.12 billion in April 2019 from USD 6.16 billion in the same month a year earlier, preliminary data showed. Exports dropped by 2.0 percent year-on-year compared to market expectations of a 5.0 percent drop while imports rose 2.4 percent above forecasts a 0.3 percent increase. Considering the first four months of 2019, the trade surplus narrowed to USD 13.44 billion from USD 18.79 billion in the corresponding period the prior year.
Published on 2019-05-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows In March
South Korea’s trade surplus decreased to USD 5.22 billion in March 2019 from USD 6.41 billion in the same month a year earlier, a preliminary data showed. Year-on-year, exports dropped by 8.2 percent to USD 47.11 billion, while imports declined 6.7 percent to USD 41.89 billion. Considering the first three months of 2019, the trade surplus narrowed to USD 9.31 billion from USD 12.63 billion in the corresponding period the prior year.
Published on 2019-04-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens Slightly in February
South Korea’s trade surplus widened to USD 3.10 billion in February 2019 from USD 2.80 billion in the same month a year earlier, a preliminary data showed. Year-on-year, exports dropped by 11.1 percent to USD 39.56 billion, while imports declined at a faster 12.6 percent to USD 36.47 billion. Considering the first two months of 2019, the trade surplus narrowed to USD 4.39 billion from USD 6.28 billion in the corresponding period the prior year.
Published on 2019-03-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Smallest in 5 Years
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 1.34 billion in January of 2019 from USD 3.45 billion in the same month of the preceding year, a preliminary data showed. It was the smallest trade surplus since February 2014, as exports dropped by 5.8 percent year-on-year to USD 46.35 billion, while imports declined 1.7 percent to USD 45.02 billion.
Published on 2019-02-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Smallest in 10 Months
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed to USD 4.56 billion in December of 2018 from USD 5.51 billion in the same month of the preceding year, a preliminary data showed. It was the smallest trade surplus since February, as imports rose while exports fell. Year-on-year, imports increased 0.9 percent to USD 43.91 billion, far lower than a 11.5 percent rise in November and missing market estimates of a 4.2 percent growth. Exports declined unexpectedly by 1.2 percent to USD 48.46 billion, following a 4.1 percent gain in a month earlier and missing estimates of a 3.3 percent rise. For full 2018, the trade surplus was at USD 70.5 billion, reaching the 10th straight year the country sold more goods than it bought. Sales for the year grew 5.5 percent from the same period a year earlier to a record high of USD 605.5 billion, while purchases jumped 11.8 percent to USD 505.0 billion.
Published on 2019-01-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows 33.2% YoY in November
South Korea’s trade surplus decreased sharply to USD 5.14 billion in November of 2018 from USD 7.69 billion in the same month of the preceding year, preliminary data showed. It was the smallest trade surplus since February, as imports rose more than exports. Year-on-year, imports increased 11.4 percent to USD 46.78 billion, after an upwardly revised 28.1 percent jump in a month earlier while markets had expected a 12 percent rise. Exports rose at a softer 4.5 percent to USD 51.92 billion, following a 22.7 percent surge in October and below consensus of a 6.6 percent gain. Considering the first eleven months of 2018, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 66.31 billion from USD 89.71 billion in the corresponding period the prior year.
Published on 2018-12-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed to USD 6.55 billion in October of 2018 from USD 6.93 billion in the same month of the preceding year, preliminary data showed. It was the smallest trade surplus since June, as imports climbed 27.9 percent year-on-year to USD 48.22 billion after sliding 2.1 percent in September and exports rose at a softer 22.7 percent to USD 54.97 billion after declining 8.2 percent in the previous month, led by sales of memory chips and petrochemical products.
Published on 2018-11-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows in September
South Korea’s trade surplus declined to USD 9.7 billion in September of 2018 from USD 13.4 billion in the same month of the preceding year, preliminary data showed. In September, exports tumbled by 8.2 percent year-on-year to USD 50.6 billion, following a 8.7 percent gain in August, beating consensus of a 5.7 percent fall. Inbound shipments decreased by 2.1 percent year-on-year to USD 40.8 billion, after an upwardly revised 9.4 percent rise in a month earlier, missing market estimates of a 3.1 percent growth. Considering the first nine months of 2018, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 55 billion from USD 75.1 billion in the same period the prior year.
Published on 2018-10-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 4.5% YoY in August
South Korea’s trade surplus increased to USD 6.9 billion in August of 2018 from USD 6.6 billion in the same month of the preceding year, preliminary data showed. In August, exports grew by 8.7 percent year-on-year to a record high for August of USD 51.2 billion, faster than a 6.2 percent gain in July, but missing consensus of a 10.1 percent rise. Inbound shipments increased by 9.2 percent year-on-year to USD 44.3 billion, slower than an upwardly revised 16.4 percent rise in a month earlier but beating market estimates of a 7.7 percent growth. Considering the first eight months of 2018, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 49.21 billion from USD 61.8 billion in the same period the prior year.
Published on 2018-09-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Narrows 31.4% YoY in July
South Korea’s trade surplus decreased to USD 7.0 billion in July of 2018 from USD 10.2 billion in the same month of the preceding year, as exports rose less than imports, preliminary data showed. In July, inbound shipments increased by 16.2 percent year-on-year to USD 44.9 billion, faster than a 10.8 percent rise in a month earlier and compared to market estimates of a 16.6 percent growth. Exports grew by 6.2 percent to USD 51.9 billion, missing consensus of a 7 percent gain and following a 0.2 percent fall in June. Considering the first seven months of 2018, the trade surplus narrowed sharply to USD 39.61 billion from USD 55.2 billion in the same period the prior year.
Published on 2018-08-01

South Korea June Trade Surplus Smallest in 4 Months
South Korea’s trade surplus narrowed to USD 6.3 billion in June of 2018 from USD 10.7 billion in the same month of the preceding year. It was the smallest trade surplus since February, as exports fell while imports rose, preliminary data showed. In June, outbound shipments edged down by 0.1 percent year-on-year to USD 51.22 billion, due to high base effects and shorter working days, missing market consensus of a 0.4 percent growth. Inbound shipments increased by 10.7 percent to USD 44.91 billion, below markets expectations of a 11.4 percent growth. Considering the first six months of the year, the trade surplus was USD 32.8 billion, much smaller than a USD 44.9 billion surplus in the same period the preceding year.
Published on 2018-07-01

South Korea Trade Surplus Widens 19.6% YoY in May
South Korea’s trade surplus widened to USD 6.7 billion in May of 2018 from USD 5.6 billion in the same month of the preceding year, as exports rose more than imports, preliminary data showed. In May, outbound shipments grew by 13.5 percent year-on-year to USD 51 billion, beating market consensus of a 12.7 percent growth and after a 1.5 percent fall in the prior month. Inbound shipments increased by 12.6 percent to USD 44.3 billion, following a 14.5 percent rise in April while markets estimated a 10.7 percent growth. Considering the first five months of the year, the trade surplus was USD 26.8 billion, much smaller than a USD 34.2 billion surplus in the same period the preceding year.
Published on 2018-06-01