S. Korea posts record high current account surplus of over $60 bil. in Sept. on chip supercycle

South Korea achieved a record-breaking current account surplus of over $60 billion won in September, primarily driven by robust exports of semiconductors, according to central bank data released on Thursday. The current account surplus for September soared to $61.46 billion, a significant increase from $46.11 billion in the previous month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

This marked the highest monthly current account surplus ever recorded, surpassing the previous record of $49.73 billion set in June. Compared to the same period last year, the figure more than tripled, jumping from $14.22 billion to $61.46 billion. For the first nine months of the year, the current account surplus reached a cumulative $340.66 billion, a substantial rise from $83.89 billion in the same period last year.

South Korea has consistently reported a current account surplus since May 2023, making August the 41st consecutive month of a surplus balance. In 2025, the country recorded its largest annual surplus on record at $123.05 billion, surpassing the previous high of $105.1 billion, set in 2015. The Bank of Korea attributed the surge in September to a record surplus of $62.75 billion in goods exports.