소비심리 6개월만에 반등

Data released by the nation's central bank shows an uptick in consumer confidence.
However, many fear such optimism may not last long, as there's little to celebrate when looking at the dismal job market.
Kim Hyesung breaks down the digits for us.
South Korea's consumer confidence rebounded in May after five straight months of decline since December.
The Bank of Korea says,... the country's consumer sentiment index rose to 1-hundred-7-point-nine in May,... up zero-point-eight points from the previous month.
A reading above 100 means... there are more optimists than pessimists about the economy in the coming months.
The central bank attributed the uptick to the recent thaw in inter-Korean relations and the prospects of a North Korea-U.S. summit next month.
But with gloomy economic figures like sluggish job growth over the last three months, experts say the uptick in consumer sentiment may be temporary.

The consumer sentiment index is a leading indicator. But there have been cases where a rise in consumer sentiment didn't translate into an actual rise in consumption. Also, we have to see what happens with the ongoing trade spat between the U.S. and China, and rising U.S. protectionism, as these factors could impact consumer sentiment."

Three of the six key indices that gauge consumer confidence went up.
The index measuring people's sentiment toward current economic conditions rose three points to 89, and the sentiment on economic outlook for the next six months jumped five points to 101.
Inflation expectations, which reflect the outlook for consumer price inflation over the next 12 months, stood at 2-point-6 percent in May, unchanged from the previous month.
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.