Seoul: South Korea's industrial output declined in April compared to the previous month, data revealed on Friday, as retail sales and facility investment also recorded decreases amidst economic uncertainties linked to Middle East tensions.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Ministry of Data and Statistics reported a 0.6 percent drop in industrial production from March. The mining and manufacturing sector, a vital component of the economy, saw a 0.7 percent decrease, largely due to a 10 percent decline in automobile industry output. Conversely, the chip sector experienced a 3.1 percent increase in production.

Output in the oil refining industry plummeted by 19.4 percent, a reflection of supply disruptions arising from the U.S.-Iran conflict. The service sector's output also decreased by 1 percent in April, attributed to a 7.7 percent drop in the finance and insurance sectors. Meanwhile, the information and telecommunications segment saw a 4.3 percent rise despite a 1.5 percent decline in wholesale and retail.

Retail sales, an indicator of private consumption, fell by 3.6 percent over the month. The sale of semidurable goods like clothing remained steady, while durable goods, including computers, saw an 11.1 percent decline. Nondurable goods, such as gasoline, experienced a 1.1 percent dip in sales.

The Ministry's data indicated that facility investment decreased by 3.6 percent in April compared to March, primarily due to reduced investment in the aviation industry. However, investment in the machinery sector, especially products used by chipmakers, increased by 0.5 percent.