FX.co ★ South Korea’s Industrial Output Swings Back to Growth With 3.6% Rise in March

South Korea’s industrial production rebounded sharply in March 2026, rising 3.6% year-on-year after a 2.3% decline in February, according to data updated on 29 April 2026. The turnaround marks a notable shift in momentum for one of Asia’s key manufacturing-driven economies.

On a year-over-year basis, February 2026 industrial output had contracted by 2.3% compared with February 2025, underscoring weakness in activity at the start of the year. In contrast, March 2026 output was 3.6% higher than in March 2025, signaling a return to positive growth when measured against the same month a year earlier.

The move from negative to solidly positive territory suggests that industrial sectors may be stabilizing after recent volatility, with the March figures helping to ease concerns sparked by February’s downturn in year-on-year production.