FX.co ★ South Korea’s Industrial Output Slides 1.9% in January, Reversing December Gains

South Korea’s industrial production fell 1.9% month-over-month in January 2026, marking a sharp reversal from the 1.5% increase recorded in December 2025. The latest figures, updated on March 3, 2026, highlight renewed volatility in the country’s industrial sector after a brief period of growth at the end of last year.

The month-over-month comparison shows that momentum weakened significantly as the new year began. While December’s 1.5% rise had suggested a modest recovery in activity compared with November, the negative 1.9% reading for January indicates that output not only lost that ground but turned decisively lower.

These data, based on changes in industrial production from one month to the next, will be closely watched by analysts and investors for signs of whether January’s drop reflects a temporary setback or the start of a more sustained downturn in South Korea’s industrial cycle.