South Korea industrial output up for two straight months

SEOUL: South Korea's industrial output grew for the second straight month in July, raising expectations that the country's sluggish economy might be gaining some strength, government data showed Friday.

Production in the mining, manufacturing, gas and electricity industries expanded 1.1 percent last month from June, Statistics Korea said.

This followed a revised 2.6 percent gain a month earlier.

Production of cars and other vehicles rose 10.7 percent from the previous month and oil refinery product was up 7.5 percent.

But semiconductors and parts fell 4.9 percent on-month.

"Even though the growth momentum weakened a bit in July, it is positive that industrial output grew for two straight months," a senior Statistics Korea official said.