S.Korea sees continued economic recovery on brisk exports

SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's finance ministry saw signs of the continued economic recovery on the back of brisk exports, which account for about half of the export-driven economy, the ministry report said Friday.

The ministry said in its monthly economic assessment report, called Green Book, that the recovery trend continued as production, consumption and investment all rebounded amid the continued export growth.

It said the continued recovery was attributable to brisk exports, caused by the global economic recovery.

South Korea's production in the mining and manufacturing sectors rose 0.2 percent in November from the previous month, after declining in October.

Services industry production rebounded 2.5 percent in November, after falling 1.9 percent in the previous month.

Retail sales advanced 5.6 percent in November, after sliding 2.9 percent in October, due to strong demand for winter clothing, cars and smartphones.

Facility investment also rebounded 10.1 percent in November, from a 14.8 percent plunge in October.

Exports kept an upward momentum in December by rising 8.9 percent compared with a year earlier. Global demand for locally-made semiconductors and oil products led the December export growth. Enditem