South Korea's finance ministry on Tuesday raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3%, one percentage point higher than its prior estimate, citing a semiconductor-sector "supercycle" and eased Middle East-related uncertainty. The revision, published in

2026-07-14

South Korea's finance ministry on Tuesday raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3%, one percentage point higher than its prior estimate, citing a semiconductor-sector "supercycle" and eased Middle East-related uncertainty. The revision, published in the ministry's H2 2026 economic policy plan, is above the IMF/OECD/ADB consensus of 2.6%. First Vice Minister Lee Hyoung-il said other agencies relied on March–April data, while the ministry's assessment uses more recent data showing export strength driven by the semiconductor boom and further easing in Middle East tensions.