South Korean firms' business sentiment for January has fallen to the lowest level since March 2016 due to the sluggish manufacturing sector.<br />The Bank of Korea says the business survey index dropped three points on-month to 69 in January. <br />A reading below 100 means there are more pessimists than optimists about future business conditions. <br />The central bank said worsening business sentiment in machinery and semiconductors drove down the manufacturing BSI....which fell four points on-month to 67 in January...the lowest level in almost a decade.<br />Non-manufacturing BSI fell two points on-month to 71. <br />
