South Korean firms' business sentiment for January has fallen to the lowest level since March 2016 due to the sluggish manufacturing sector.
The Bank of Korea says the business survey index dropped three points on-month to 69 in January.
A reading below 100 means there are more pessimists than optimists about future business conditions.
The central bank said worsening business sentiment in machinery and semiconductors drove down the manufacturing BSI....which fell four points on-month to 67 in January...the lowest level in almost a decade.
Non-manufacturing BSI fell two points on-month to 71.