According to preliminary balance of payments statistics released by the Bank of Korea on August 6, the current account surplus in June reached $49.73 billion (approximately 70.8 trillion won), setting a new all-time high on a monthly basis. This surpassed the previous month's figure of $38.61 billion in May, marking the second consecutive month of record highs. Compared to the same period last year ($47.87 billion), the surplus is $1.86 billion larger. The cumulative current account surplus for the first half of this year reached $191.01 billion, roughly four times the level recorded in the same period last year.

■ Semiconductor and IT Exports Drive Growth... Goods Account Surplus of $47.89 Billion

The goods account recorded a surplus of $47.89 billion. Driven by a significant increase in exports of semiconductors, computers (SSDs), and other information and communication technology (ICT) devices, monthly goods exports surpassed $100 billion for the first time ever in June. Total exports reached $112.37 billion, up 84.5% from a year ago.

By item, computer peripherals (SSDs, 282.7%), semiconductors (196.9%), and wireless communication devices (60.6%) showed high growth rates, while machinery, precision equipment, passenger cars, and home appliances also shifted to export growth.

By region, exports showed broad-based growth in Southeast Asia (105.7%), China (92.0%), the United States (78.6%), Latin America (36.1%), the EU (31.8%), and Japan (15.8%), while exports to the Middle East decreased by 8.5%.

Imports totaled $64.48 billion, up 38.6% from a year ago. Capital goods imports rose 35.3%, led by semiconductors (64.1%), ICT devices (44.0%), semiconductor manufacturing equipment (42.4%), and transport equipment (3.2%). In the raw materials sector, imports increased 30.5%, driven by coal (63.0%), crude oil (50.3%), chemical products (28.8%), gas (22.4%), and petroleum products (22.3%). Consumer goods imports also expanded by 16.4%.

■ Services and Income Account and Financial Account Trends

The services account recorded a deficit of $1.29 billion, but the travel account posted a surplus of $440 million. The primary income account recorded a surplus of $3.27 billion, a larger surplus compared to the previous month ($2.17 billion), while the secondary income account posted a deficit of $140 million.

Net financial assets (assets minus liabilities) increased by $46.71 billion, marking the largest increase since March of this year ($36.99 billion). Residents' overseas investment rose by $8.01 billion, while foreigners' domestic investment increased by $4.63 billion.

In portfolio investment, residents' overseas investment rose by $3.56 billion, centered on equities, whereas foreigners' domestic stock investment decreased by $26.32 billion. The decline in foreigners' domestic stock investment reached $31.62 billion, the largest on record. Investment in debt securities also saw its growth slow from $6.4 billion in May to $5.29 billion in June.