Various economic indicators are fueling fears that South Korea has entered a protracted low-growth phase.

For the fourth consecutive quarter, the economy grew at less than one percent --- third quarter growth was only zero-point-six percent, a tenth of a percentage point lower than the initial estimate.

Growth in manufacturing has plunged to its lowest level since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Future prospects are even gloomier, with fourth quarter growth expected to dip even lower.

Growth in real gross national income(GNI) which indicates the public's purchasing power also posted minus zero-point-four percent in the third quarter, the lowest in nearly six years.