South Korea has recorded the world’s second-largest current account surplus among major economies in the second quarter, according to President Lee Jae Myung. Citing data from the International Monetary Fund available through the Bank of Korea, Lee announced that the country’s surplus reached US$116.63 billion between April and June, trailing only China, which reported a surplus of US$193.72 billion.
President Lee emphasized that this achievement highlights South Korea’s strengthening position in the global economy. He noted that the country’s surplus surpassed the combined figures posted by Germany and Japan, signaling a shift from merely following advanced economies to actively contributing to the global economic landscape.
Lee attributed part of this success to the international performance of South Korean companies, particularly in the semiconductor industry. The sector plays a pivotal role in advancing artificial intelligence technologies, a field of growing global importance.
To build on these achievements, President Lee called for efforts to enhance South Korea’s industrial competitiveness and increase its potential economic growth rate. He urged the nation to capitalize on current successes to secure a more influential role in the global economy.