Overview
- Industrial production fell 2.5% from September, the steepest monthly drop since February 2020, according to government data.
- Mining and manufacturing output declined 4.0% on the month, underscoring broad manufacturing weakness.
- Semiconductor production sank 26.5% on the month, the sharpest fall since October 1982, which officials linked to a high base after a roughly 20% surge in September.
- Retail sales rose 3.5% on the month, the strongest increase since February 2023, helped by food and apparel purchases during the extended Chuseok holiday.
- Facility investment dropped 14.1% on the month, with machinery investment down 12.2% and transportation equipment down 18.4%.