According to preliminary data compiled by the central bank, the surplus reached around US$9.14 billion in March, up $2 billion from the previous month.
Exports of goods rose slightly from a year earlier to around $59.31 billion, backed by a recovery in shipments of semiconductors and computer-related devices. Imports also went up more than two percent to $50.82 billion.
The service account, which includes tourism and shipping, remained in the red but narrowed its deficit to $2.21 billion, down from $3.21 billion the previous month, as the spring travel season began.
By country, exports saw a surplus with Southeast Asian nations and Europe, but posted a shortfall with China.
Meanwhile, the BOK raised its gloomy outlook, suggesting that its projection of $75 billion for this year's current account surplus is likely to be revised downward due to the effects of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policy.
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