S. Korea industrial output up 2.6 percent in Feb
Production in the automobile and semiconductor sectors led the growth figure.
SEOUL (AFP) - South Korea s industrial output rose 2.6 percent in February from a month earlier, boosted by demand over the Lunar New Year holiday, government data showed Tuesday.
Production in the automobile and semiconductor sectors led the growth figure, which followed a steep decline of 3.7 percent in January s industrial output.
Year-on-year, last month s output showed a fall of 4.7 percent.
South Korea s central bank announced a surprise 25 basis point interest rate cut earlier this month, in an effort to fend off deflation and kick-start the struggling economy.
The Bank of Korea (BOK) said the move, which took the benchmark rate to a record low of 1.75 percent, reflected slow demand and a lack of confidence among businesses and consumers.
The BOK in January slashed its economic growth forecast for this year to 3.4 percent from the previously tipped 3.9 percent.
