SEOUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's industrial output fell for the fourth consecutive month to April on the back of an economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak, statistical office data showed Friday.
The seasonally-adjusted production in all industries, which exclude agricultural, forestry and fishery sector, retreated 2.5 percent in April from the previous month, according to Statistics Korea.
Output in the mining and manufacturing industry declined 6.0 percent last month, logging the biggest monthly fall in over 11 years since December 2008.
The coronavirus pandemic weakened global trade, leading to a double-digit reduction of export in the month.
Production among manufacturers diminished 6.4 percent in April from a month earlier, marking the biggest decline since December 2008.
Semiconductor output plunged 15.6 percent last month, the fastest reduction since December 2008. Production of electronic parts and vehicles plummeted 14.3 percent and 13.4 percent respectively.
Shipment among manufacturers dipped 7.2 percent in April. Manufacturers averaged a capacity ratio of 68.6 percent in April, down 5.7 percentage points from the previous month.
Production in the construction and the public administration sectors slipped 2.4 percent and 7.4 percent each last month on a monthly basis.
Production in the services sector gained 0.5 percent in April from a month earlier, after sliding 4.4 percent in March and 3.5 percent in February respectively.
It came as the social distancing campaign eased following the slower growth of the COVID-19 confirmed cases in the month.
However, people still avoided social gatherings and outside activities, such as shopping, traveling and eating out, amid lingering concern about the coronavirus.
Output in the lodging and eatery sector advanced 12.7 percent in April from a month earlier, and production in the education services and the information and communications services sectors grew 2.8 percent and 2.9 percent each.
Production in the transport and warehousing, the finance and insurance, and the wholesale and retail industries all declined last month.
Retail sale, which reflects private consumption, advanced 5.3 percent last month, marking the first rebound in four months.
The sale of durable goods, such as vehicles, grew 4.1 percent owing to a temporary tax cut for car purchase, while the sale of semi-durables such as clothing jumped in double digits last month.
Facility investment rose 5.0 percent in April from a month earlier, keeping an upward trend for two straight months.
Completed construction fell 2.4 percent in April from a month ago, while construction orders tumbled 44.9 percent in April from a year earlier.
The cyclical factor for leading economic indicators, which measure the outlook for future economic situations, fell 0.5 points in April from a month earlier, continuing to slide for the third straight month.
The figure for coincident indicators dived 1.3 points last month, logging the biggest monthly fall in over 22 years since March 1998. Enditem
