South Korea Industrial Output Growth Tops Forecasts

South Korea’s industrial production fell by 0.7% month-on-month in April 2026, surprising markets that had expected a 0.3% gain and slipping from an upwardly revised 0.6% increase in the previous month. The decline was driven by weaker manufacturing activity, which dropped 0.8%, as output of automobiles and petroleum refining fell sharply. Auto production tumbled 10.0% amid lower output of large and hybrid passenger vehicles, while petroleum refining sank 19.4% due to weaker diesel and gasoline production. In contrast, semiconductor output rose 3.1%, while pharmaceutical production jumped 13.3%. Services activity also contracted 1.0%, weighed down by declines in finance and insurance as well as wholesale and retail trade, though information and communication output rose 4.3%. On a yearly basis, industrial production increased 1.5% in April, falling short of market forecasts for a 2.2% rise and slowing from a revised 3.9% gain in March.

South Korea’s industrial production grew 0.3% month-on-month in March 2026, easing sharply from a downwardly revised 5.3% increase in February but slightly exceeding market expectations for a 0.2% rise. The growth in output was supported by a 0.3% expansion in manufacturing. Services activity also rose 1.4%, while the construction sector and public administration contracted by 7.3% and 3.3%, respectively. In the first quarter of the year, industrial output expanded 2.7% compared to the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, industrial output rose 3.6% in March, rebounding from an upwardly revised 2.3% decline in February but falling short of forecasts for a 3.8% increase.

South Korea’s industrial production rose 5.4% month-on-month in February 2026, rebounding from a 2.4% decline in January and surpassing market expectations for a 1.8% increase. The figure marked the fastest growth since August 2023, supported by a 6.1% expansion in manufacturing. Construction activity also surged 19.5%, while the services sector posted a modest 0.5% gain, and public administration contracted by 4.6%. On a year-on-year basis, industrial output declined 2.2% in February, reversing from a 6.8% increase in January and falling well short of forecasts for a 6% rise.