South Korea’s Record Current-Account Surplus Rally Surpasses Germany, Taiwan and Japan

South Korea has posted a record-setting current-account surplus, surpassing Germany, Taiwan and Japan in a rally that places it behind only China. The improvement reflects robust semiconductor exports, stronger external demand and a favorable trade balance, while imports have remained comparatively restrained. Economists say the milestone highlights Korea’s growing role in global manufacturing and technology supply chains. However, they caution that heavy dependence on chip exports leaves the economy vulnerable to sudden changes in global demand, prices and geopolitical tensions.