Worrying numbers

Image copyrightReuters

Image captionSouth Korea’s export-led economy has been hit by slowing global demand for its goods

Disappointing trade numbers released on Monday showed exports contracted 18.5% in January from a year earlier.

It marked the 13th month in a row the nation’s exports had fallen and was the worst result for exports since mid 2009.

South Korea’s annual inflation rate also cooled to its lowest in four months in January.

Official numbers released in January showed the economy expanded in 2015 at its slowest pace in three years – growing 2.6% from a year earlier. The central bank has now revised down its forecast for growth in 2016 from 3.2% to 3.0%.

Further still, South Korea is facing high levels of youth unemployment.

“The government will mobilise all available means and resources in order to boost domestic consumption and exports in the first quarter to March and to help create new jobs,” Yonhap quoted the ministry as saying.

South Korea’s economy was in part held back last year by the effects of the deadly Mers viruswhich affected tourism and domestic spending in the first half of the year.

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