South Korea's industrial sector faced another challenging month, as the production index took a significant hit, plummeting to -2.9% in May 2025. This latest decline follows a negative turn in April, when the index registered a -0.6% change month-over-month. Data updated on June 29, 2025, highlights the deepening contraction in the industrial output.
The downward trajectory marks a more than fourfold increase in the rate of decline compared to April's figures, indicating heightened challenges for South Korea's manufacturers. The slump might be attributed to a combination of domestic economic pressures and potential external factors affecting global supply chains.
Industry experts express concern over the sustained decrease, urging for proactive measures to stabilize production levels. As policymakers assess these figures, stakeholders are closely monitoring upcoming strategies to combat the downturn and stimulate industrial growth in the second half of the year.