South Korea’s consumer price inflation cooled modestly in February 2026, with the month‑over‑month Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 0.3%, down from a 0.4% increase in January 2026. The latest figures, updated on 5 March 2026, show a slight deceleration in price pressures at the start of the year.
The data indicate that while prices are still edging higher, the pace of monthly gains has moderated compared with the previous period. In January, the CPI’s 0.4% month‑over‑month advance reflected a stronger uptick versus the month before, whereas February’s 0.3% increase points to a more tempered inflation dynamic.
On a month‑over‑month basis, February’s reading suggests that price growth remains present but is not accelerating, a detail that will be closely watched by policymakers and financial markets as they assess the trajectory of inflation and potential implications for monetary policy in the coming months.
