S. Korea's 2009 current account surplus to top US$30 bln: report

SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's current account surplus will likely
exceed US$30 billion this year, the government said Monday, revising upward its
earlier forecast amid growing optimism over a global economic rebound.

The forecast, which was made in a report submitted by the finance ministry for an
annual audit, is higher than the $25 billion won predicted by the government in
June. It would also mark the largest surplus since the $40.37 billion posted by
the nation in 1998.
"Given the nation's cumulative current account surplus had amounted to $28.2
billion by August, it is expected to surpass $30 billion this year," the report
showed.
South Korea's economy will have little difficulty in achieving its earlier growth
target of negative 1.5 percent for this year, the ministry said in a separate
report, adding that growth will rebound next year by expanding around 4 percent.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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