The Ministry of Data and Statistics on Oct. 30 in a September industrial activity report said domestic production, consumption and investment all increased in September from the previous month. Shown is a view of Busan North Port. (Busan Port Authority)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

Domestic production, consumption and investment last month all increased from August, the first time in three months for all three indicators to grow.

The Ministry of Data and Statistics on Oct. 30 released a report on September industrial activity trends saying industrial output last month rose 3% from August, driven by gains in industries like the service sector (0.5%) and mining and manufacturing (9%).

The growth rate last month was the highest in 15 1/2 years since 3.4% in March 2011.

The retail sales index, a gauge of goods consumption, grew 3.6%. Sales increased across all categories including durable goods like passenger cars (4.4%), non-durables including food and beverages (4.2%), and semi-durables like clothing (0.6%).

Facility investment jumped 5.3% thanks to higher investment in machinery like electrical equipment and devices (4.7%) and transportation equipment such as other types of transit gear (7.4%).

aisylu@korea.kr