S. Korea's industrial output reduces for 3 months

Industrial output in South Korea fell for three straight months due to sluggish exports that damaged production of large exporters, a government report showed Tuesday.

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, according to Statistics Korea.

The slowing industrial activity came as exports plunged more than 10 percent in May from a year earlier, keeping a downward trend for five months in a row.

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.

Production in communications equipment and oil refining sectors increased 22.1 percent and 3 percent each last month on a monthly basis, but those for automobile and semiconductor industries declined 3.7 percent and 4.8 percent respectively.

Exports in chips, cars and chemical products declined 7.9 percent, 3.5 percent and 4.3 percent each last month. Endi