South Korea recorded a trade surplus of 9560 USD Million in September of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - South Korea Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Key information about South Korea's Trade Balance

• South Korea's Trade Balance recorded a surplus of 4.2 USD bn in Feb 2025, compared with a deficit of 1.8 USD bn in the previous month
• South Korea's Trade Balance data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1966 to Feb 2025, with an averaged value of 78.6 USD mn
• The data reached an all-time high of 13.4 USD bn in Sep 2017 and a record low of -12.7 USD bn in Jan 2023

• In the latest reports, South Korea's Total Exports reached 52.5 USD bn in Feb 2025, an increase of 0.2% YoY (year-on-year)
• Total Imports recorded 48.3 USD bn in Feb 2025, an increase of 0.2% YoY (year-on-year)

In 2024, South Korea's trade balance reached approximately **** billion U.S. dollars, marking a significant improvement from the previous year's deficit of about **** billion dollars. The trade deficit in 2022 was the worst recorded since data collection began in the 1950s.

In 2024, South Korea's trade balance with the United States recorded a surplus that amounted to around ***** billion U.S. dollars. South Korea has become one of the United States’ largest trade partners. The Free Trade Agreement between the two governments came into force in March 2012. As of May 2025, South Korea seeks to delay a decision about tariffs until new presidential elections in June 2025. Korea’s export trade with the U.S. In 2024, the United States was the second most important export trade destination after China. In accordance with the high trade surplus recorded by South Korea, the value of goods exports to the U.S. continued to increase every year. Historically, China and the U.S. were the most important export partner for South Korea, with changes only happening due to domestic or bilateral politics. The effect of U.S. president Trump’s increase of tariffs on the economic relations between the two nations remains to be seen. Korea’s imports from the U.S. Despite the trade balance tipping in clear favor of South Korea, the United States was still one of the most important partners for imports. Overall, the value of goods imported into the country has increased, with a quick recovery from occasional decreases. Next to the imports of goods, the United States have become one of the most important suppliers of foreign direct investment (FDI) for South Korea. Despite this importance, the actual investments were notably lower than the pledged amount.

South Korea's total Exports in 2024 were valued at US$683.13 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. South Korea's main export partners were: China, the United States and Vietnam. The top three export commodities were: Electrical, electronic equipment; Vehicles other than railway, tramway and Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers. Total Imports were valued at US$631.73 Billion. In 2024, South Korea had a trade surplus of US$51.40 Billion.

Key information about South Korea Total Exports

• South Korea Total Exports recorded 52.5 USD bn in Feb 2025, compared with 49.2 USD bn in the previous month
• South Korea Total Exports data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1966 to Feb 2025, with an averaged value of 9.7 USD bn
• The data reached an all-time high of 63.8 USD bn in Mar 2022 and a record low of 14.8 USD mn in Jan 1966

• In the latest reports, South Korea Total Exports grew 0.7 % YoY in Feb 2025
• Total Imports recorded 48.3 USD bn in Feb 2025, which registered an increase of 0.2 % year on year
• South Korea Trade Balance recorded a surplus of 4.2 USD bn in Feb 2025

South Korea's total Imports in 2024 were valued at US$631.73 Billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. South Korea's main import partners were: China, the United States and Japan. The top three import commodities were: Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products; Electrical, electronic equipment and Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers. Total Exports were valued at US$683.13 Billion. In 2024, South Korea had a trade surplus of US$51.40 Billion.

The statistic shows South Korea's trade balance of goods from 2014 to 2024. Trade balance is the value of exported goods minus the value of imported goods. A positive trade balance signifies a trade surplus, while a negative value signifies a trade deficit. In 2024, South Korea's trade deficit amounted to around ***** billion U.S. dollars.

Key information about South Korea Total Imports Growth

• South Korea Total Imports grew 0.2 % YoY in Feb 2025, compared with a decrease of 6.4 % YoY in the previous month
• South Korea Total Imports Growth data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1967 to Feb 2025, with an averaged rate of 14.5 %
• The data reached an all-time high of 115.6 % in Feb 1974 and a record low of -43.9 % in Jul 1998

• In the latest reports, South Korea Total Imports recorded 48.3 USD bn in Feb 2025
• Total Exports reached 52.5 USD bn in Feb 2025, which registered an increase of 0.7 % year on year
• South Korea Trade Balance recorded a surplus of 4.2 USD bn in Feb 2025

In 2024, South Korea's trade balance with China amounted to a deficit of about **** billion U.S. dollars. The Free Trade Agreement between the two governments came into force in December 2015.

Key information about South Korea Total Exports

• South Korea Total Exports expanded 0.7 % YoY in Feb 2025, compared with a decrease of 10.1 % YoY in the previous month
• South Korea Total Exports Growth data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1967 to Feb 2025, with an averaged rate of 14.0 %
• The data reached an all-time high of 149.4 % in Oct 1973 and a record low of -34.5 % in Jan 2009

• In the latest reports, South Korea Total Exports recorded 52.5 USD bn in Feb 2025
• Total Imports recorded 48.3 USD bn in Feb 2025, which registered an increase of 0.2 % year on year
• South Korea Trade Balance recorded a surplus of 4.2 USD bn in Feb 2025

Graph and download economic data for International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Trade Balance: Commodities for Korea (XTNTVA01KRQ667S) from Q1 1957 to Q2 2025 about Korea, trade, Net, and goods.

South Korea Trade Balance: First 10 days data was reported at -1.091 USD bn in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of -2.082 USD bn for Mar 2025. South Korea Trade Balance: First 10 days data is updated monthly, averaging -1.635 USD bn from Jan 2016 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 112 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.873 USD bn in Jun 2016 and a record low of -7.741 USD bn in Aug 2022. South Korea Trade Balance: First 10 days data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Korea Customs Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s South Korea – Table KR.JA003: Trade Statistics: First 10 Days. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

Key information about South Korea Total Imports

• South Korea Total Imports recorded 48.3 USD bn in Feb 2025, compared with a value of 51.0 USD bn in the previous month
• South Korea Total Imports data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1966 to Feb 2025, with an average number of 8.5 USD bn
• The data reached an all-time high of 66.0 USD bn in Aug 2022 and a record low of 38.6 USD mn in Jan 1966

• In the latest reports, South Korea Total Imports grew 0.2 % YoY in Feb 2025
• Total Exports grew 0.7 % YoY, to 52.5 USD bn in Feb 2025
• South Korea Trade Balance recorded a surplus of 4.2 USD bn in Feb 2025

Historical dataset showing South Korea trade balance by year from 1960 to 2023.

Historical dataset showing North Korea trade balance by year from N/A to N/A.

North Korea recorded a trade deficit of 1578.82 USD Million in 2024. This dataset provides - North Korea Balance of Trade - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Trade Balance: swda: EU 27E: South Korea: Total data was reported at -1.451 EUR bn in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of -1.529 EUR bn for Jan 2025. Trade Balance: swda: EU 27E: South Korea: Total data is updated monthly, averaging -0.486 EUR bn from Jan 2002 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 278 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.765 EUR bn in Nov 2014 and a record low of -1.846 EUR bn in Sep 2024. Trade Balance: swda: EU 27E: South Korea: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Eurostat. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.JA044: Eurostat: Trade Statistics: By SITC: European Union: South Korea.

Korea Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Malta data was reported at 24.937 USD mn in May 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of -19.083 USD mn for Apr 2018. Korea Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Malta data is updated monthly, averaging 8.537 USD mn from Mar 1979 (Median) to May 2018, with 400 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 695.343 USD mn in Apr 2011 and a record low of -149.171 USD mn in Sep 2014. Korea Trade Balance: Advanced Economies: Malta data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.IMF.DOT: Trade Balance: by Country: Monthly.

In 2023, Japan recorded a surplus in goods and services trade with South Korea valued at around *** trillion Japanese yen. While Japanese balance of trade with South Korea remained positive, the surplus fluctuated continuously, impacted by trade disputes between the two East Asian nations and successive global crises.