SEOUL, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Price for imported goods to South Korea fell for the fifth straight month due to the local currency's appreciation to the U.S. dollar, central bank data showed Wednesday.
The import price index slumped 0.6 percent in June from a month earlier, keeping a downward trend since February, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The consecutive slide was attributed to the domestic currency's ascent versus the greenback that offset higher price for crude oil.
The average won/dollar exchange rate retreated to 1,366.95 won per dollar in June from 1,394.49 won in May.
Price for Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 69.26 U.S. dollars per barrel in June, up from 63.73 dollars in the previous month.
Price of imported raw materials increased by 1.5 percent in June on a monthly basis, owing to the expensive crude oil.
Import price for intermediary goods decreased 1.6 percent on lower price for chemicals, metal products, electronic devices, machinery and electrical equipment.
Price for imported capital and consumer goods slipped 1.1 percent and 1.0 percent each.
The export price index declined 1.1 percent in June from a month earlier, continuing to go down for three successive months. ■
