South Korea's industrial output edged up in March from a year earlier mostly due to the increased production of semiconductors... but also because the output in February was so poor. <br />Kim Da-mi starts us off. <br />The three main indicators of industrial activity all increased last month, in a so-called 'Triple Rebound.' <br />For the month of March, industrial output across all sectors in South Korea edged up 1-point-1 percent compared to the previous month. <br />Statistics Korea said on Tuesday that the on-month increase is mainly due to increased production of semiconductors...which ticked up 3-point-6 percent last month.<br />The agency said the increased exports of semiconductors came from the introduction of new high-capacity smartphone models.<br />Retail sales also jumped three-point-three percent from a month earlier.<br />Fine dust pollution led to strong sales of domestic appliances like air purifiers and steam closets. <br />Sales growth in machinery and transport equipment also led to a ten percent spike in facility investment.<br />However, the agency also noted that the 'Triple Rebound' also comes from such poor performances from the previous month. <br />In addition, overall industrial output actually fell by zero-point-7 percent on-year in the month of March.<br />Meanwhile, South Korean companies' business outlook for April has improved slightly compared to the month before.<br />According to the Bank of Korea on Tuesday, the Business Survey Index for all industries recorded 74 in April,... up a single point on-month. <br />The BOK said business sentiment among electronics manufacturers fell, but oil refining companies and petrochemical companies showed better sentiment on rising global oil prices.<br />However, as the figure still remaining below 100,...there are more pessimists than optimists.<br />Kim Da-mi, Arirang News. <br />
