The Finance Ministry says that the recent recovery in South Korea's exports has led to an expansion in production and investment, but private consumption remains feeble.
 
The ministry said in its monthly economic assessment report dubbed the "Green Book" released on Thursday that domestic consumption remains in a slump, preventing the economy from picking up.
 
Exports grew 20-point-two percent on year in February backed by South Korea's main export items such as petroleum products and semiconductors as well as a two-day increase in the number of working days compared to last year. It was the largest increase in five years.
 
In January, production in the mining and manufacturing industries rose three-point-three percent on month due to an increase in overseas shipments of chips and electronic goods. The growth is a leap from a fall of zero-point-five percent in December.