Stagnant December for S. Korea’s production
South Korea's national statistics office today published figures regarding industrial activities in December and the fourth quarter of 2004. The data reveal a slow down in the upward movement of industrial production. The Industrial Production Index showed a 4.5% year-on-year increase for December, almost half of what was recorded in November. The country's fabricated metal production fell 7.9% in December 2004 on a year-on-year basis. On the other hand, semiconductor and motor vehicle production each increased 19%. Overall exports of the country increased 14% in December on a year-on-year basis, while domestic shipments declined 3.3%. In November, domestic shipments had grown 1.4% and exports 21.7%.