South Korea: Q2 GDP Growth Revised Higher.

South Korea’s economy grew 0.7% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to June 2025, 0.1 percentage point higher than the figure given in the advance estimate. That indicates a sharp reversal from a 0.2% contraction in the first quarter. Private consumption rose 0.5%, supported by higher spending on goods like motor vehicles and services such as health services. Government consumption increased 1.2% on the back of expanded health care benefits. However, construction investment declined 1.2%, with both building and civil engineering activity falling, while facilities investment also dropped 2.1% amid reduced purchases of machinery and transport equipment. Exports rose 4.5%, driven by semiconductors, petroleum products, and chemicals, while imports climbed 4.2%, mainly due to stronger demand for energy items like crude oil and natural gas.