South Korea’s consumer prices increased by more than a percent for the fourth consecutive month in December.
     
Statistics Korea said Friday that the nation’s consumer price index rose one-point-three percent in December from a year earlier.

The consumer price growth rate remained in the zero percent range from May to August before rising to one-point-two percent in September. Prices also increased by one-point-three percent in October and November.
   
The statistics agency said although electricity fees have been lowered under the revised charging system and oil prices have remained low, prices of fresh foods, such as vegetables, fruit and fish jumped by 12 percent.

The agency said skyrocketing egg prices amid the widespread avian influenza outbreak have not been factored into December’s price index and will likely boost inflation next month. 

Overall, consumer prices grew one percent this year from last year, up by zero-point-three percentage points from last year's growth.