South Korea Manufacturing PMI Hits 13-Month High

The S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing PMI jumped to 50.7 in September 2025 from 48.3 in August, signaling the first expansion since January and the strongest reading since August 2024. Both output and new orders moved back into growth territory, with production increasing at the fastest pace in 13 months. New business growth was modest overall but buoyed by a rebound in export orders, which expanded for the first time since March. In line with stronger demand, firms boosted purchasing activity and employment, while backlogs of work rose for the first time in half a year. Business sentiment also remained positive for a second straight month, though confidence eased slightly from August. On the cost side, input price pressures moderated, yet inflation remained elevated by historical standards.