The goods account surplus rose to $11.24 billion in August from $9.18 billion a year earlier on the back of rising global demand for Korea-made semiconductors amid an upturn in the world economy.

The service account remained in the red, logging $2.11 billion in deficit for the month, narrowing slightly from $2.33 billion a year ago.

In particular, the deficit in the travel account expanded on-year to $1.54 billion in August from $1.41 billion as larger number of South Korean tourists headed overseas during the summer vacation period.

Some 2.5 million South Koreans went abroad in August alone, marking the second-biggest monthly figure, while 1.39 million foreigners, including 478,000 Chinese tourists, came to the country during the same period.

The primary income account surplus improved to $500 million in August from $200 million the previous month.

In the financial account, net assets decreased $7.28 billion in August, according to the data.

Direct overseas investment by South Koreans rose $4.38 billion, and foreigners' investment at home added $1.2 billion, the numbers showed. 

In portfolio investment in August, South Korean investors increased their holdings by $7.17 billion, with $3.53 billion in stocks and $3.63 billion in bonds.

Foreigners expanded their assets by $5.68 billion in the South Korean financial market in the same month, with their bond ownership rising by $4.86 billion amid intensifying concerns over global trade disputes. (Yonhap)