South Korea's industrial output increased at the fastest pace in 17 months in April on the back of a rise in production in the mining and construction industries. 
  
According to data from Statistics Korea on Thursday, the country's industrial output increased one-point-five percent in April from a month earlier, the largest gain since November 2016.  

Production in the mining, manufacturing, gas and electricity industries rose three-point-four percent on-month in April, following a two-point-two percent decrease the previous month.  

The average factory operation rate increased two-point-two percentage points to 72-point-five percent.  

However, retail sales, an economic indicator of consumption levels, slipped one percent on-month in April after rising for three straight months.

Facility investment also dropped three-point-three percent on-month, decreasing for the second consecutive month.