성장률 전망치 더 낮춘 국내기관…한경연은 1.9%까지 ↓<br /><br />More bad new for the already struggling Korean economy.<br />Analysts have further lowered their forecasts for GDP growth this year.<br />Some now think growth will fall to below 2 percent.<br />Lee Kyung-eun reports. <br />The Korea Economic Research Institute now forecasts the local economy to grow 1-point-nine percent this year.<br />That's down three tenths of a percent from its earlier estimate in June of two-point-two percent.<br />A researcher at the institute attributed the downgrade to growing uncertainties from home and abroad.<br />"Unlike what was expected before, the U.S.-China trade war has escalated in the second half, and at the same time there's the ongoing Seoul-Tokyo trade dispute. A lowering of the growth rate was inevitable, given the falling prices of semiconductors and growing trade uncertainties stemming from the export curbs Japan imposed in July."<br />Other economic think tanks have also lowered their forecasts. <br />The Hyundai Research Institute now has the figure at 2-point-1 percent... down from 2.5 percent three months ago,... and the Korea Institute of Finance last month... also predicted 2.1 percent. <br />Experts also blame sluggish investment and falling domestic consumption. <br />Last month, facilities investment dropped nearly five percent on year.<br />Inflation, largely due to falling oil prices and weak consumer demand, turned negative last month for the first time, triggering fears of deflation.<br />With South Korea's population rapidly aging and trade wars breaking out globally, its economic outlook is likely to remain grim for the near future.<br />Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News. <br />
