FX.co ★ South Korea Posts Largest Trade Surplus in 11 Months

In May 2025, South Korea experienced an increase in its trade surplus, reaching USD 6.94 billion, up from USD 4.86 billion in the same month of the previous year and surpassing market expectations of USD 4.61 billion, according to preliminary data. This figure marks the highest trade surplus since June 2024, attributed to a smaller decline in exports relative to imports. Exports decreased by 1.3% year-on-year, which was less than the market's anticipated 2.7% drop, and contrasts with a 3.7% increase observed in the preceding month. On the other hand, imports decreased by 5.3%, following a 2.7% decline in the prior month, and this was against market forecasts of a 3.1% reduction.