S. Korea's industrial output down for 3rd month in May

(MENAFN) A government data showed that industrial output in South Korea fell for three straight months due to sluggish exports that damaged production of large exporters, Xinhua reported.

Production in all industries, including manufacturing, services, construction and public administration, declined 0.6 percent in May from a month earlier after posting falls of 0.4 percent in April and 0.5 percent in March.

Hit by the soured exports, output in the mining and manufacturing sectors reduced 1.3 percent in May from the previous month after falling 1.3 percent in April and 0.2 percent in March.

Output in communications equipment and oil refining sectors increased 22.1 percent and 3 percent each last month, but those for automobile and semiconductor industries were down 3.7 percent and 4.8 percent.