Chips Rise While Wallets Close: South Korea November Industrial Output Diverges

The chips are up, but the crowd isn't buying. South Korea's industrial engine revved up in November 2025 thanks to a powerhouse semiconductor sector, but a chilling frost has hit the high street. Retail sales took their sharpest tumble in nearly two years, signaling a deep divide between export success and domestic struggle.

South Korea November Industrial Output vs. Retail Slump

Industrial production climbed 0.9% month-on-month in November, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. It's a solid bounce-back from October's dip. Businesses aren't just producing more; they're investing in the future, too. Facility investment rose 1.5%, fueled by a surge in machinery upgrades.

Consumer Sentiment Hits a 21-Month Low

The story's different at the checkout counter. Retail sales, the pulse of private spending, plummeted 3.3% during the same period. It's the most dramatic decline since early 2024. While Samsung Electronics keeps its Pyeongtaek lines humming, the average shopper is clearly feeling the pinch of sustained inflation and high borrowing costs.