SEOUL, December 30 (AJP) - South Korea’s factory output rebounded in November after two consecutive monthly contractions, supported by a sharp pickup in semiconductor production and increased facility investment linked to AI-driven chip demand, government data showed Tuesday.
Mining and manufacturing output rose 0.6 percent from the previous month, reversing declines of 4.2 percent in October and 1.0 percent in September, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
The rebound largely owed to a 7.5 percent jump in semiconductor output and external demand. Output for export shipments climbed 4.6 percent, while production for domestic sales fell 4.5 percent.
Overall industrial production rose 0.9 percent on the month, compared with a 2.7 percent drop in October. Service-sector output increased 0.7 percent, even as retail sales declined 3.3 percent, reflecting prolonged sluggishness in private consumption.
Facility investment increased 1.5 percent from the previous month, led mainly by machinery investment. The rise was attributed to stronger spending on precision equipment, including semiconductor inspection tools, as chipmakers expanded capacity to meet growing demand linked to artificial intelligence.
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