A leading economic index for South Korea posted growth for the ninth straight month in December last year.

According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Sunday, the composite leading indicators (CLI) for South Korea reached 101-point-five last month, up point-31 percent from a month earlier.

The index increased on-month for nine consecutive months since April last year.

South Korea is the only country that posted on-month growth for nine straight months among 29 OECD members who have made their data available.

The CLI gauges how an economy will fare four to six months ahead, based on industrial output, gross domestic product, housing, and financial market conditions.

A reading below 100 means the economy is expected to contract going forward.

South Korea's CLI remains above 100 for the fifth consecutive month since August, indicating the economy is entering an expansionary phase.