The Korea Development Institute says the Korean economy has been stagnating in recent months, due to a slowdown in investment and exports.<br />Hong Yoo reports on its trend report for July. <br />South Korea's state-run think tank has, for the fourth month in a row, described the country's economy as "stagnant". <br />In its economic trend report for July, the Korea Development Institute said there has been improvement in consumption... but a slowdown in investment and exports has caused the local economy to stagnate.<br />Exports dipped 13-point-5 percent on-month in June, a larger decrease than the 9-point-5 percent drop in April.<br />The largest fall was observed in the semiconductor sector, which saw exports plummet in June on shrinking overseas demand and a fall in price.<br />Capital investment also fell, showing a growth rate of minus 11-point-5 percent due to a slump in machinery.<br />Industry production saw a narrow growth of 1-point-0 percent on-year in May due to service sector production growth with two extra operation days in May but a slower growth in mining and industrial sector production.<br />Retail sales in May were 1-point-4 percent higher than the previous month due to the rapid growth of foreign tourists.<br />Regarding the labor market, the Korea Development Institute said the employment policies of the government have continuously increased the number of employed and in May the number increased by 250-thousand on-year.<br />Hong Yoo, Arirang News. <br />
