South Korea's producer price index (PPI) rose 0.6 percent from a month earlier to 122.56 in February, marking the sixth consecutive monthly increase due to higher agricultural costs and global oil prices, Bank of Korea data showed. A key gauge of future consumer inflation, the index was up 2.4 percent year-on-year, the fastest growth since July 2024.
The Bank of Korea released the preliminary data on Tuesday, confirming producer prices have climbed steadily since September 2025.
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South Korea's consumer prices rose 2.2 percent in March from a year earlier, government data showed Thursday. The increase, exceeding the government's 2 percent inflation target, was mainly driven by a surge in global oil prices due to prolonged Middle East tensions. It marks the steepest rise since December's 2.3 percent, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
South Korea's consumer prices rose 2 percent year-on-year in January, marking the slowest pace in five months. The slowdown was partly due to stable petroleum product prices, as international crude oil prices fell, according to government data. However, prices for some agricultural and livestock products continued to surge sharply.
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South Korea's inflationary pressure eased to the lowest level in five years in 2025, following the sharpest price growth in decades during the post-pandemic period. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, increased 2.1 percent on-year, slightly above the Bank of Korea's 2 percent target. The figure marks the lowest annual level since 0.5 percent in 2020.
China's consumer price index rose 0.2 percent year on year in January, missing market expectations, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This marked the fourth consecutive monthly increase, though at a slower pace than December's 0.8 percent rise. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, showed a moderate upward trend amid recovering consumer demand.
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South Korea's industrial output grew 0.9 percent in November, driven by strong semiconductor production, while retail sales fell 3.3 percent, the sharpest drop in 21 months. Data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics attributes the retail decline to the fading effects of the Chuseok holiday and base effects. Cumulative retail sales for January to November rose 0.4 percent, suggesting a possible positive annual figure.
South Korean stocks tumbled nearly 6% on March 9 amid U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran driving oil past $100 per barrel. The won hit a 17-year low of 1,495.5 per dollar as circuit breakers activated. President Lee Jae-myung ordered a fuel price cap to curb soaring petroleum costs.
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The Bank of Korea held its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.5 percent for the fourth consecutive time on November 27 amid a sliding won and housing market instability. The central bank raised its growth forecast to 1.0 percent for this year and 1.8 percent for next year. The decision balances economic recovery in consumption and exports against financial stability risks.