South Korea’s cultural, information, and knowledge-based service exports reached $41.46 billion in the past year, while imports totaled $51.71 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $10.25 billion, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
This deficit represents an increase from the $7.37 billion shortfall recorded the previous year and marks the largest deficit in this category since 2013, when the country experienced a $10.81 billion deficit.
These services encompass four main sectors: intellectual property royalties, information and communication services, cultural and leisure services, and professional and business services.
“Exports primarily increased in information provision and platform services. However, imports saw a more significant rise in areas such as research and development, industrial property rights, and software copyrights,” explained Park Sung-gon, head of the BOK’s balance of payments team, during a press briefing.
Specifically, information and communication services generated a surplus of $5.19 billion in 2025. Cultural and leisure services, including those related to K-pop, K-dramas, and other Korean cultural content, achieved a surplus of $980 million.
Conversely, South Korea registered a deficit of $9.39 billion in professional and business services and a $7.03 billion deficit in intellectual property royalties.
“The notable increase in the utilization of overseas industrial property rights and professional business services is a natural progression as Korean companies expand their production and investment activities, aiming to bolster their global competitiveness,” Park added.
