South Korea's finance ministry released its monthly assessement of local economic conditions... and it has removed the word "sluggish" in describing the local economy.<br />Kim Hyesung reports.<br />The Ministry of Economy and Finance has omitted the word "sluggish" from its monthly Green Book report for the first time in eight months.<br />It said in the third quarter, the Korean economy has been supported by growth in production and consumption, but that a decrease in exports and construction investment hinders growth.<br />Manufacturing production went up two percent on-month in September while services production went down 1-point-two percent.<br />Facilities investment increased near three percent on-month in September thanks to higher investment in machinery and equipment.<br />But construction investment fell by about three percent.<br />Exports continued to fall for the 11th consecutive month in October on slowing global trade and falling chip prices, dropping near 15 percent on-year.<br />In its November monthly Green Book, the finance ministry said the job market is on a recovery path, with the number of newly added jobs on the rise.<br />Korea added 419-thousand new jobs on-year in October, adding more than 300-thousand new jobs for the third consecutive month thanks to new jobs in health and social welfare for those above 60.<br />The unemployment rate also fell to three percent.<br />Externally, the finance ministry said the global economy is slowing down with ongoing uncertainties over the U.S.-China trade dispute and Japan's export restrictions on South Korea.<br />It said it will strive to manage risks including Japan's export curbs, and use its resources to help boost private consumption.<br />Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.<br />
