Headline: South Korea’s Early-November Trade Expands, But Short-Term Deficit Remains
South Korea saw a solid start to November on the trade front, with both exports and imports rising year over year in the first 10 days of the month. Preliminary customs data point to resilient external demand, even as the trade balance stayed in the red due to faster import growth.
Exports increased 6.4% from a year earlier during the period, reflecting ongoing momentum in overseas shipments. Imports climbed 8.2% over the same stretch, outpacing export growth and resulting in a provisional trade deficit of $1.22 billion. The figures suggest that demand for inputs and consumer goods remains firm, contributing to higher inbound flows.
While the early-month deficit highlights a near-term imbalance, the broader picture indicates steady trade activity heading into the rest of November. Investors and policymakers will watch the full-month numbers to gauge whether Korea’s trade balance improves as shipments normalize and global demand trends become clearer.
Key Points – Exports rose 6.4% year over year in the first 10 days of November – Imports increased 8.2% over the same period – Provisional trade deficit totaled $1.22 billion – Import growth outpaced exports, keeping the balance negative – Early data signal steady external demand and robust trade activity – Full-month figures will clarify the trajectory for the trade balance
Last updated on November 11th, 2025 at 12:09 am
