South Korea’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% month-over-month in January 2026, a modest acceleration from the 0.3% increase recorded in December 2025, according to data updated on 2 February 2026. The figures are based on a month-over-month comparison, with January’s change measured against December and the earlier reading reflecting December’s change versus November.
The uptick suggests a mild strengthening in short-term price pressures at the start of 2026, following a slightly softer inflation pace at the end of 2025. While the move from 0.3% to 0.4% is incremental, it will be closely watched by markets and policymakers as an indicator of how underlying price dynamics are evolving in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
