For the first time in five months, the three major indicators of industrial activity went up in August.<br />But future economic indicators weren't so positive.<br />Our Hong Yoo has more.<br />Industrial output across all sectors in South Korea continued its upward trend for the second month in a row, edging up 0-point-5 percent in August compared to July.<br />Statistics Korea says this was mainly due to an increase in service sector output, which saw a 1-point-2 percent increase on-month with better performances by the wholesale and retail sector and the insurance sector.<br />Car production saw an on-month increase and semiconductor shipments increased by 6-point-1 percent in August compared to July.<br />The agency said that the surge in semiconductor shipments was due to higher demand for cellphones.<br />Retail sales also increased by 3-point-9 percent, the biggest increase since January 2011.<br />The agency said this was mainly due to increased automobile purchases and gifts for Chuseok.<br />But the ongoing boycott against traveling to Japan has hit the air transport and travel service businesses with less people traveling abroad.<br />Facility investment showed an increase of 1-point-9 percent, continuing its upward trend for the third month in a row.<br />And the coincident index, which measures the current economic conditions in the business cycle, also went up slightly for the first time in 3 months.<br />However, the leading economic index, which shows future business conditions, fell for its fourth consecutive month.<br />Statistics Korea said that exports and external conditions need to improve for industries to see better prospects.<br />And without such improvement, it will be difficult to see a sustained upward trend.<br />Hong Yoo, Arirang News.<br />
