The Ministry of Economy and Finance, in the Green Book titled "Recent Economic Trends in October 2025" published on 17th, assessed the recent situation of the Korean economy as follows: "Although concerns persist over delays in the recovery of construction investment, employment difficulties centered on vulnerable sectors, and a potential slowdown in exports due to U.S. tariff imposition, key indicators such as production and consumption show an overall improving trend despite monthly fluctuations, indicating a departure from the slump in the first half."
Compared with last month's Green Book, which assessed that "positive signals for an economic recovery are strengthening," this is interpreted as a more positive assessment of the economic trend.
On the global economy, the ministry wrote, "Deterioration in the trade environment due to major countries' tariff imposition raises concerns about continued volatility in international financial markets and a slowdown in trade growth." In particular, on the U.S. economy, it assessed, "Consumption appears solid; however, with concerns about a labor market slowdown growing, uncertainties persist due to tariff hikes and a federal government shutdown."
In August, Korea's mining and manufacturing output increased, but service output and retail sales decreased. Facility investment and construction investment also fell. In production, construction output fell considerably. Construction output in August decreased 6.1% from the previous month and 17.9% from a year earlier.
Retail sales fell 2.4% from the previous month and 0.5% from a year earlier. Despite the issuance of consumption coupons, it is notable that retail sales fell from the same month a year earlier.
Looking at detailed consumption indicators for September, domestic automobile sales rose 18.1% from a year earlier. Domestic credit card approvals also increased 8.5%. In particular, department store card approvals increased 7.1% from a year earlier. However, discount store card approvals fell 14.6%. In the previous month as well, discount store card approvals fell 22.9% from a year earlier. Although card spending increased due to the payment of people's livelihood recovery consumption coupons, expenditure appears to have decreased at discount stores where the coupons cannot be used.
Employment in September saw an increase in the number of employed. The number of employed rose by 312,000 from a year earlier, and the unemployment rate was 2.1%, the same as a year earlier.
Inflation accelerated. The consumer price index in September rose 2.1% from a year earlier. The shift to rising petroleum product prices led to a wider increase in inflation.
In September, nationwide dwelling sales prices rose 0.09% from the previous month. Notably, Seoul dwelling sales prices rose 0.58% from the previous month. In contrast, dwelling sales prices in the provinces fell 0.03% from the previous month.
In the Seoul area, jeonse prices also rose 0.3% from the previous month.
Regarding future policy directions, the government said, "We will concentrate pan-government capabilities so that swift execution of the supplementary budget, consumption coupons for people's livelihood recovery, and large-scale discount events can serve as a catalyst for revitalizing domestic demand, including consumption and regional economies," adding, "We will make every effort to respond to trade risks, including support for damages to our companies stemming from U.S. tariff imposition."