S. Korean govt sees dimmer economic situation

SEOUL -- South Korea's finance ministry saw a dimmer economic situation on Friday amid growing uncertainties at home and abroad.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance said in its monthly report, called Green Book, that the Asian economy recently was under downward pressure on the back of sluggish economic sentiment, affected by increased uncertainties at home and abroad.

The ministry noted that domestic demand recovery was delayed on soft consumption and construction investment while employment difficulties continued.

It stressed that the global economy showed an expanded uncertainty in the trade environment following the imposition of tariffs in major economies amid the continued geopolitical risks.

Export diminished 10.3 percent in January from a year earlier on fewer business days, caused by the Spring Festival's holidays.

Retail sale, which reflects private consumption, reduced 0.6 percent in December last year compared to the previous month, but facility investment gained 9.9 percent in the cited month.

The number of jobs grew 135,000 in January from a year earlier, rebounding from a decrease of 52,000 in the prior month.

Consumer prices climbed 2.2 percent in January on a yearly basis after going up 1.9 percent in the previous month.