SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Price for imported goods to South Korea rebounded in three months due to expensive crude oil and the local currency's depreciation versus the U.S. dollar, central bank data showed Wednesday.
The import price index gained 2.2 percent in October from a month earlier after going down 3.5 percent in August and 2.6 percent in September, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 74.94 U.S. dollars per barrel in October, up from 73.52 dollars in the previous month.
The average won/dollar exchange rate was up to 1,361.00 won per dollar in October from 1,334.82 won in the prior month.
Price for imported raw materials advanced 4.1 percent in October on a monthly basis after declining 4.0 percent in September.
Import price for intermediary goods increased 1.6 percent last month on the back of higher prices for oil products, chemicals, primary metal products and electrical equipment.
Price for imported capital and consumer goods mounted 0.5 percent and 1.1 percent each in the cited month.
The export price index swelled 1.7 percent in October from a month earlier after sliding 2.8 percent in August and 2.5 percent in September. ■