FX.co ★ South Korea’s Service Sector Rebounds in May, Snapping April Decline

South Korea’s service sector registered a solid rebound in May 2026, with output rising 1.3% month-over-month, according to data updated on 29 June 2026. This follows a 0.9% decline in April 2026, marking a clear turnaround in short-term momentum for the country’s service industries.

The figures show that while April’s service activity contracted compared with March, May’s performance more than offset that drop, suggesting a stabilization in demand and activity across key service segments. On a month-over-month basis, the current reading reflects a stronger pace of expansion than the previous period, indicating renewed resilience in South Korea’s service-driven areas of the economy.

The comparison period is based on month-over-month changes, where the “actual” figure measures May’s output shift relative to April, and the “previous” value captures April’s change compared with March. This framework underscores how the sector moved from contraction to growth within just one month, potentially signaling improving conditions heading into the second half of 2026.