South Korea's industrial output jumped 6.4% in June from May

Statistics Korea reported on Thursday 30 July 2026 that South Korea's industrial production rose 6.4% in June 2026 from the previous month. The May figure was a revised decline of 2.9%, and the market had expected a 3.0% increase.

On an annual basis, South Korean industrial output grew 5.8% in June, after a 1.1% fall in May and against a market expectation of 2.5%. Retail sales also rose 2.7% month on month in June, up from 0.1% in May.

South Korea is one of the world's largest exporters of chips and intermediate goods. The rebound in its industrial output after May's decline, alongside the sharp rally in Asian chipmaker shares in recent days, points to an improving technology demand cycle in Asia.