The government pointed out its main concerns for the local economy in its so-called 'greenbook' released today.... and some of those concerns were... falling exports and the sluggish job market.<br />Kim Ji-yeon reports. <br />The Ministry of Economy and Finance expressed its concerns over Korea's exports... as the volume of exports dropped on-year for the second straight month in January.<br />According to the ministry's monthly greenbook report released Friday... the country's exports dipped one-point-three-percent on-year in December... and fell again by around six-percent on-year last month... with telecommunications, computers and semiconductors all seeing big drops.<br />The government refrained from commenting on its effect on the local economy... but stated Korea's investment and exports are going through changes... due to growing external uncertainties with the U.S.-China trade tensions as well as Britain leaving the European Union... and waning demand for Korea's main export item, semiconductors.<br />Facility investment also slumped for the second consecutive month in December last year by zero-point-four percent on-month.<br />For four months leading up to January... the government had stated in its greenbook that the country's exports saw a steady increase... mainly due to the semiconductor boom.<br />The greenbook pointed out that job growth is sluggish.... with the employment rate reaching a monthly record high in January surpassing one-point-two-million people... mainly due to a slump in the manufacturing sector.<br />It stated though that consumption and retail sales had both expanded for the third consecutive month.<br />Consumer sentiment also rose zero-point-six points from the previous month to the 97-point-five level last month. <br />Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News. <br />
