SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The price for imported goods to South Korea rose for the fifth successive month due to the local currency's depreciation against the U.S. dollar, central bank data showed Friday.
The import price index increased 2.6 percent in November from the previous month, continuing its upward trend since July, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The consecutive growth was affected by the local currency's descent versus the greenback which offset cheaper crude oil.
Price for Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 64.47 dollars per barrel in November, down from 65 dollars in the previous month.
The average won versus dollar exchange rate mounted to 1,457.77 won per dollar in November from 1,423.36 won in October.
Price for imported raw materials gained 2.4 percent in November on a monthly basis, rebounding from a fall of 0.4 percent in the prior month.
Import price for intermediary goods jumped 3.3 percent last month, continuing to increase for the fifth consecutive month.
Prices for imported capital and consumer goods swelled 1.5 percent and 1.8 percent each.
The export price index climbed 3.7 percent in November from a month earlier, keeping an upward trend since July. ■
