The South Korean economy grew by zero-point-eight percent in the second quarter from the previous one.

According to the preliminary data released on Friday by the Bank of Korea, the country’s gross domestic product(GDP), which was seasonally adjusted for inflation, amounted to 375-trillion-333-point-six billion won in the April-June period, up by zero-point-eight percent from the first quarter.

It outperformed the first quarter growth by zero-point-three percentage points and marks the highest quarterly growth in three quarters since the country’s economy grew one-point-two percent in Q3 last year.

The output from the local manufacturing industry grew by one-point-two percent, turning around after it contracted by zero-point-two percent in the first quarter. The production of coal, oil and chemical products increased particularly thanks to a slight increase in oil prices.

The construction industry saw a one percent growth led by the increased demand for housing facilities.

Exports in the second quarter grew one-point-one percent courtesy of more outbound shipments of semiconductors, oil and chemical products, while imports increased two-point-one percent, led by the inbound shipment of crude oil and cars.

Private consumption also increased, owing in part to the increased sales of durable goods, including cars, sales of which were encouraged by a special consumption tax benefit.

Some economic experts, however, dismiss the slight improvement in Q2, pointing to the fact that the economic growth stayed in the zero percent range for a third straight quarter.

They predict that the economy will continue to be mired in a low growth trap in the second half of the year, citing the phaseout of stimulus economic packages aimed at boosting consumption.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s real gross national income(GNI) fell by zero-point-four percent to 391-point-seven trillion won. It is the first time in seven quarters the country’s real GNI posted a negative on-quarter growth since it contracted by zero-point-two percent in the third quarter of 2014.