Illustration of declining South Korean industrial output with factory scene and graphs, related to Middle East tensions.

South korea's industrial output falls in april amid middle east tensions

28 Mwezi wa tano, 2026

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Statistics Korea reported on May 29 that industrial output fell 0.6 percent in April from March, with retail sales and facility investment also dropping 3.6 percent each.

Mining and manufacturing output dropped 0.7 percent, hit by a 10 percent decline in automobiles, while chip production rose 3.1 percent. Oil refining plunged 19.4 percent.

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said industrial output is expected to return to an upward trend in May as consumer and business sentiment recover and exports remain strong.

The government pledged to ease energy cost burdens and support domestic consumption amid ongoing Middle East uncertainties.

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Illustration depicting South Korea's rising industrial output, retail sales, and facility investment in March, with factories, shoppers, construction, and upward charts.

South Korea's industrial output, retail sales and facility investment rise in March

29 Mwezi wa nne, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI Picha iliyoundwa na AI

South Korea's industrial output, retail sales and facility investment all rose from a month earlier in March, official data showed on April 30. It marked the first time since September that all three indicators posted on-month growth. A ministry official said the Middle East crisis has not yet impacted the economy.

South Korea's February industrial output rises 2.5%, fastest in over 5 years

South Korea's industrial output rose 2.5% in February from the previous month, the fastest growth in five years and eight months. Government data showed retail sales unchanged while facility investment jumped 13.5%. The Middle East crisis has had minimal impact so far.

South Korean business sentiment pessimistic for May due to Middle East crisis

22 Mwezi wa nne, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

South Korea's business sentiment for May remains pessimistic due to the prolonged Middle East crisis, a Federation of Korean Industries survey showed Thursday. The business survey index for the top 600 companies by sales stood at 87.5, below the 100 benchmark where pessimists outnumber optimists. This marks two consecutive months below the line.

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China's industrial output up 5.6 percent in first four months

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Official data showed China's value-added industrial output rose 5.6 percent year on year in the first four months of 2026. Growth in April reached 4.1 percent from a year earlier.

Jumanne, 12. Mwezi wa tano 2026, 04:13:21

South korea's industrial output falls in april amid middle east tensions

Makala yanayohusiana

South Korea's industrial output, retail sales and facility investment rise in March

South Korea's February industrial output rises 2.5%, fastest in over 5 years

South Korean business sentiment pessimistic for May due to Middle East crisis

South Korea exports jump 65 percent in first 20 days of May

South Korea's April exports top $85.89 billion for second month

South Korea's consumer prices rise 2.2% in March amid surging oil prices

South Korea's exports jump 49.4% in first 20 days of April

South Korea GDP surges 1.7% in Q1 2026, fastest pace in over 5 years

Seoul shares open sharply lower on Mideast crisis, US rate freeze

China's industrial output up 5.6 percent in first four months

South Korea adds 74,000 jobs in April, slowest in 16 months

South Korea exports rise 43.7 percent in early May

Finance minister says economy maintains solid fundamentals amid crisis

South Korea's consumer prices accelerate to 2.6% in April amid oil shock

Seoul shares close flat amid Middle East tensions

South Korea's producer prices rise fastest in four years on oil surge

South Korea's import prices post sharpest rise in 28 years amid Middle East crisis

IMF holds South Korea's 2026 growth forecast at 1.9%, raises inflation to 2.5%

South Korea's exports surge 36.7% in first 10 days of April

South Korea's producer prices rise for sixth straight month in February on high oil prices

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