Korea: Inflation rises in January
Consumer prices rose 0.76% in January over the previous month, picking up from the 0.16% increase seen in December. January’s reading marked the sharpest increase in prices since September 2018. Looking at the details of the release, food and non-alcoholic beverages prices rose at a much quicker pace in January compared to the previous month, while price pressures for transportation also picked up pace. In addition, prices for recreation and culture rebounded following a contraction in the previous month.
Inflation rose to 0.6% in January, from December’s 0.5%. Annual average inflation was unchanged at December’s 0.5% in January. Core inflation was unchanged, coming in at December’s 0.9% in January.