FX.co ★ South Korea’s Manufacturing Momentum Eases as October PMI Slips to 51.3

South Korea’s manufacturing sector expanded at a slower pace in October, with the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI easing to 51.3 from 53.9 in September 2026. While the index remains above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction, the latest reading points to a cooling in the sector’s recent growth streak.

The moderation suggests that, after a strong September performance, activity in factories and production lines grew more cautiously in October. The softer PMI could reflect more measured demand conditions or a normalization after prior strength, though the data still indicates that the sector is in expansion mode rather than signaling an outright downturn.

The updated figures, released on 2 November 2026, will be closely watched by investors and policymakers as they assess the durability of South Korea’s industrial recovery heading into the final months of the year.