FX.co ★ South Korea’s Manufacturing Expansion Cools in June as PMI Eases to 52.1

South Korea’s manufacturing sector remained in expansionary territory in June 2026, though at a slower pace, as the S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing PMI eased to 52.1 from 54.8 in May 2026. The latest reading, released on 1 July 2026, signals that while factory activity continues to grow, the momentum seen in the previous month has moderated.

The decline from May’s stronger performance suggests a cooling, rather than a reversal, of the sector’s recent improvement. A PMI reading above 50 still points to expanding manufacturing conditions, indicating that demand and production are rising, but less vigorously than earlier in the second quarter.

The updated data will be closely watched by investors and policymakers as an early signal of how global and domestic economic forces are shaping South Korea’s industrial outlook heading into the second half of 2026.