South Korea's consumer sentiment slipped again in January,... after falling in December following a seven-year-high set in November.<br />Kim Hyesung has the details. <br /> South Korea's consumer sentiment fell for a second consecutive month, recording a three-month low in January.<br />The Bank of Korea says the composite consumer sentiment index dropped to 109-point-nine in January, down zero-point-seven from the previous month. <br /> It attributed the fall to rising global oil prices, a strengthening Korean won against the U.S. dollar, as households become more concerned about the nation's economic conditions. <br /> Expectation for income outlook hit a record high thanks to sharp minimum wage hike that went into effect this January. <br />But expectation on job outlook fell to a low not seen since the Moon Administration took office last May.<br />The index continued to go up for six straight months between February and July, fell in the summer due to North Korea tensions, then bounced back in October and November.<br />The index marked a turn, falling in December.<br />However, January's reading is still above 100, meaning more consumers are more optimistic than pessimistic about how the economy will fare in the coming months.<br /> Expectation for the inflation rate over the next twelve months edged up zero-point-one percent, recording two-point-six percent. <br />Kim Hyesung, Arirang News. <br />
