FX.co ★ South Korea Imports Rise Less than Estimated

South Korea’s imports rose 13.2% year-on-year to USD 60.4 billion in March 2026, accelerating from a 7.5% increase in the previous month, according to flash data. This marked the fifth consecutive month of expansion, driven by solid domestic demand following multiple rounds of household and business support measures in 2025. Even so, the pace of import growth fell short of market expectations for an 18% rise, in part due to persistent uncertainty stemming from tensions in the Middle East. Heightened geopolitical risks have kept energy markets volatile, pushing up import costs and prompting some firms to delay or scale back orders.