South Korea's overall industrial output inched down last month,... on the back of falling auto production.<br />But by contrast, equipment investment climbed,... after falling for the sixth consecutive month in August.<br />Our Ko Roon-hee reports. <br />Statistics Korea said Wednesday that South Korea's industrial output in September decreased one-point-three percent from the previous month. <br />This is the sharpest on-month decline since March 2013. <br />The agency said reduced production in the mining and manufacturing industries caused the decline. <br />Auto production in particular fell by almost 5-percent... due to lower domestic demand.<br />A decrease in electronic parts production was another major factor...which was caused by lower export demand for locally-made display panels. <br /><br />Retail sales also decreased by 2-point-2 percent on month...following a zero-point-1 percent gain in August. <br /><br />In contrast, equipment investment rebounded in September, gaining nearly 3-percent... after falling for the sixth consecutive month in August.<br />The rebound was mainly due to increased investment in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. <br />However, it decreased by almost 20-percent on-year...meaning investment for this year is looking grim.<br /><br />Statistics Korea added the indices showing current economic conditions and future outlook fell zero-point-three points and zero-point two points respectively in September, compared to the previous month.<br />Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News. <br />
