2026.09.0123:00:00UTC+00South Korea’s Consumer Prices Rebound in August, Ending Brief Deflationary Dip

South Korea’s consumer price index (CPI) returned to growth in August 2026, rising 0.2% month-over-month after a 0.2% decline in July, according to data updated on 1 September 2026. The move marks a clear rebound from the previous month’s negative reading and signals a shift away from the brief bout of deflationary pressure seen in midsummer.

On a month-over-month basis, August’s 0.2% increase contrasts with July 2026’s -0.2% change, when prices fell compared with June. The data follow the standard comparison approach in which the “actual” figure reflects the change for the reported month versus the previous month, while the “previous” figure tracks the same metric one month earlier.

The turnaround in August suggests that, at least in the short term, price dynamics in South Korea have stabilized after July’s decline, a development that will be closely watched by markets and policymakers monitoring inflation trends in the second half of 2026.