Seoul: South Korea's industrial output saw a marginal increase in March, bolstered by robust semiconductor production, despite a prolonged economic downturn, as revealed by recent data.

According to Yonhap News Agency, industrial production rose by 0.9 percent in March, marking the second consecutive month of growth after a downturn that began in September, with the only other increase occurring briefly in December. The data, compiled by Statistics Korea, highlights the semiconductor sector's role in supporting this growth.

Conversely, retail sales, an important indicator of private spending, decreased by 0.3 percent compared to the previous month in March. This decline in consumer expenditure contrasts with the industrial sector's modest gains.

Additionally, facility investment fell by 0.9 percent in March, following a significant rebound observed in February. The fluctuations in these economic indicators underscore the varied challenges and developments within South Korea's economy.