SEOUL, July 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's private consumption remained lackluster amid exports recovery, caused by the improved global economy, a government report showed Tuesday.
"Signs of economic recovery continued such as growing exports and improved consumer sentiment, but domestic demand was not solid as consumption and services industry production faltered," the finance ministry said in its monthly economic assessment report, called Green Book.
Exports, which account for about half of the economy, jumped 13.7 percent in June from a year earlier, keeping an upward momentum for the eighth consecutive month.
Facility investment grew 1.8 percent in May from a month ago, after falling 3.9 percent in the previous month.
However, retail sales, which reflect private consumption, declined 0.9 percent in May from a month earlier due to soft demand for newly launched smartphones.
Production in the mining and manufacturing industries rose 0.2 percent in May on a monthly basis, but the services industry production dipped 0.3 percent.
Construction investment shed 1.6 percent in May from a month ago, while car sales in the local market tumbled 14.8 percent in June compared with a year earlier.
The number of Chinese tourists visiting South Korea posted a double-digit decline since March, dealing a blow to the tourism industry and duty-free shop operators. Enditem
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