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Data from FMP. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
South KoreaSouth Korea Imports YoY climbed to 20.8% in May 2026
FMPMonthlyReleased June 2026
South Korea Imports YoY climbed to 20.8% in May 2026, released June 2026, up 4.1% from April's 16.7% reading. The reading matched the 21.5% consensus. Imports YoY has now risen for 4 consecutive months. Over the past 3 months, Imports YoY averaged 11.23%, vs 5.88% in the prior 3-month window. Imports YoY is now the highest in 24 months.
Latest Release
20.8
Actual
21.5
Consensus
16.7
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±0.53 percentage points
across last 12 releases
Last Call
Jun 2026
Predicted: 20.3
Actual: 20.8
Error: -0.5
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Signal Bias | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOSPI | ▲ Direct | +0.55 | INDEX | Bullish KOSPI | → View |
| Nikkei 225 | ▲ Direct | +0.41 | INDEX | Bullish Nikkei 225 | → View |
| XAU/USD | ▲ Direct | +0.31 | COMMODITIES | Bullish XAU | → View |
| Hang Seng | ▲ Direct | +0.30 | INDEX | Bullish Hang Seng | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
Imports YoY (South Korea) was reported at 20.8% in June 2026. This missed the market consensus of 21.5% by 0.7%. The reading rose from the previous value of 16.7%. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through June 2026. Over the past 12 months, the indicator has averaged 5.6%, ranging from -4.1% to 20.8% across 16 releases.
WHY IT MATTERS
The indicator has been trending upward over the last three releases. The trailing three releases averaged 13.83%, up from the prior three at 8.87%. Volatility over the past year (σ 6.17%) is higher than the prior year (σ 5.03%). In June readings over the past 3 years, Imports YoY has averaged 2.05%.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is positively correlated with KOSPI (Bullish KOSPI). A secondary relationship exists with Nikkei 225, positively correlated (Bullish Nikkei 225). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 0.53%.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The next release is scheduled for July 1, 2026. Same-country events in the next 14 days include Consumer Confidence (Jun 22) and Business Confidence (Jun 24).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update June 2026.
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Imports YoY - KR
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About Imports YoY — South Korea
DEFINITION
Imports YoY is a financial indicator that measures the year-over-year change in the total value of goods and services imported into a country. It provides valuable insights into a country's economic health and its trade relationships with other nations. A positive Imports YoY indicates an increase in imports, which can stimulate economic growth and consumer demand. On the other hand, a negative Imports YoY may suggest a decline in economic activity and potential trade imbalances. This indicator is closely monitored by investors, policymakers, and businesses to make informed decisions and assess the overall health of a country's economy.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
Trade-balance and tariff data inform exchange-rate fundamentals and feed directly into GDP via the net-exports channel. The release is more useful as part of a longer-run signal than as a single-print catalyst. Released monthly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (May 2026): actual 20.8 %, consensus 21.5 %. Prior reading (Apr 2026): 16.7 %. Before that (Mar 2026): 13.2 %.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a higher reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook reinforcing that direction. Both horizons are aligned bullish for this indicator, suggesting a consistent trend signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary tailwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with KOSPI (Bullish KOSPI, r=0.55) — a useful reference for index-focused traders.