The national statistical office reported Friday that industrial output fell 1.8 percent in February from a month earlier, following a 0.1 percent decrease in January.
Production of automobiles, and semiconductors and parts dropped 7.2 percent and 4.9 percent on-month in February, respectively.
The office said the lower output in the first two months of this year is a temporary phenomenon, noting that the Lunar New Year holiday reduced working hours and consumers delayed new car purchases.
According to a survey conducted by the Bank of Korea, business sentiment among South Korean manufacturers reached 86 for April, the highest since May 2012. The index for March stood at 85.
A reading above 100 on the index means optimists outnumber pessimists.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com