Current account surplus sharply narrows in April on higher oil prices
SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account surplus sharply narrowed in April as higher oil prices increased the country's import bill, the central bank said Tuesday.
The current account surplus reached US$1.91 billion in April, narrowing from a surplus of $7.82 billion the previous month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). The current account is the broadest measure of cross-border trade.
Since the country logged a deficit of $3.33 billion in April last year, the largest in almost a decade, on faltering exports amid the pandemic, the current account has stayed in the black.
The goods balance logged a surplus of $4.56 billion in April, smaller than a surplus of $7.92 billion the previous month.
Exports, which account for half of the South Korean economy, jumped 41.1 percent on-year in April on the back of brisk demand for chips and cars.
Outbound shipment came to $51.1 billion in April, compared with $36.2 billion a year earlier.
Imports gained 33.9 percent to $50.8 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $390 million. It marked the 12th consecutive month for the country to post a trade surplus.
The country's overseas shipments have been battered by the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the pace of the slump has eased since June last year as major economies slowly began resuming business activities and easing border lockdowns.
kdh@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Opposition leader calls on Yoon to reject imports of products from Japan's Fukushima
-
S. Korea to allow online permit-free entry for tourists from 22 nations to spur spending
-
DP leader says Yoon should have stormed out of summit with Japan if Dokdo issue raised
-
One-third of senior public officials have over 2 bln won in personal wealth: data
-
(LEAD) Cha Jun-hwan wins historic silver at figure skating worlds
-
S. Korea to allow online permit-free entry for tourists from 22 nations to spur spending
-
Grandson of ex-President Chun apprehended at Incheon Int'l Airport over drug use
-
One-third of senior public officials have over 2 bln won in personal wealth: data
-
(LEAD) Cha Jun-hwan wins historic silver at figure skating worlds
-
Actor Yoo Ah-in appears for questioning over alleged drug use
-
(2nd LD) N. Korea plans to send weapons, munitions to Russia in exchange for food: NSC
-
(LEAD) Grandson of ex-President Chun apologizes to victims of 1980 democracy rising
-
(LEAD) N. Korea plans to send weapons, munitions to Russia in exchange for food: NSC
-
(LEAD) (News Focus) Abrupt replacement of national security adviser gives rise to much speculation
-
S. Korea releases report on N. Korea's human rights violations