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(LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices | Yonhap News Agency
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OK (ATTN: ADDS more info from para 3) SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices rose 2.2 percent in March from a year earlier, mainly due to a hike in global oil prices caused by prolonged tensions in the Middle East, government data showed Thursday. A gas station in Seoul on March 31, 2026 (Yonhap) The latest rise was driven by a surge in the price of petroleum products, which jumped 9.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the sharpest increase since October 2022, when the price spiked 10.3 percent on-year amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Prolonged Middle East crisis sparks garbage bag hoarding (LEAD) Gov't to expand fuel tax cuts; diesel from 10 to 25 pct, gasoline from 7 to 15 pct Consumer sentiment falls to 10-month low amid Middle East crisis Keywords #consumer prices Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S. Korea prev (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices Next (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS more info from para 3) SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices rose 2.2 percent in March from a year earlier, mainly due to a hike in global oil prices caused by prolonged tensions in the Middle East, government data showed Thursday. A gas station in Seoul on March 31, 2026 (Yonhap) The latest rise was driven by a surge in the price of petroleum products, which jumped 9.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the sharpest increase since October 2022, when the price spiked 10.3 percent on-year amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Prolonged Middle East crisis sparks garbage bag hoarding (LEAD) Gov't to expand fuel tax cuts; diesel from 10 to 25 pct, gasoline from 7 to 15 pct Consumer sentiment falls to 10-month low amid Middle East crisis Keywords #consumer prices Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S. Korea prev (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices Next (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
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(ATTN: ADDS more info from para 3)
SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices rose 2.2 percent in March from a year earlier, mainly due to a hike in global oil prices caused by prolonged tensions in the Middle East, government data showed Thursday.
The reading, which hovers above the government's 2 percent inflation target, marks the steepest on-year increase since December, when inflation stood at 2.3 percent, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
A gas station in Seoul on March 31, 2026 (Yonhap)
The latest rise was driven by a surge in the price of petroleum products, which jumped 9.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the sharpest increase since October 2022, when the price spiked 10.3 percent on-year amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
Notably, diesel and gasoline prices jumped 17 percent and 8 percent on-year, respectively.
Global oil prices have risen sharply as the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, disrupting global oil supplies. South Korea relies heavily on imports for energy.
Prices of agricultural, livestock and fishery products edged down 0.6 percent, mainly due to a sharp drop in agricultural product prices, which fell 5.6 percent on-year. Prices of livestock and fishery products rose 6.2 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively.
Service prices increased 2.4 percent from a year earlier, driven by higher insurance costs.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
Next
(LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
---
## Expert Analysis
### Merits
N/A
### Areas for Consideration
- Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Prolonged Middle East crisis sparks garbage bag hoarding (LEAD) Gov't to expand fuel tax cuts; diesel from 10 to 25 pct, gasoline from 7 to 15 pct Consumer sentiment falls to 10-month low amid Middle East crisis Keywords #consumer prices Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S.
### Implications
- Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Prolonged Middle East crisis sparks garbage bag hoarding (LEAD) Gov't to expand fuel tax cuts; diesel from 10 to 25 pct, gasoline from 7 to 15 pct Consumer sentiment falls to 10-month low amid Middle East crisis Keywords #consumer prices Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S.
- Korea prev (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices Next (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
### Expert Commentary
This article covers prices, percent, korea topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 539.
OK (ATTN: ADDS more info from para 3) SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices rose 2.2 percent in March from a year earlier, mainly due to a hike in global oil prices caused by prolonged tensions in the Middle East, government data showed Thursday. A gas station in Seoul on March 31, 2026 (Yonhap) The latest rise was driven by a surge in the price of petroleum products, which jumped 9.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the sharpest increase since October 2022, when the price spiked 10.3 percent on-year amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Prolonged Middle East crisis sparks garbage bag hoarding (LEAD) Gov't to expand fuel tax cuts; diesel from 10 to 25 pct, gasoline from 7 to 15 pct Consumer sentiment falls to 10-month low amid Middle East crisis Keywords #consumer prices Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S. Korea prev (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices Next (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
## Article Content
X
More
Linked in
Tumblr
Facebook Messenger
Copy URL
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OK
(ATTN: ADDS more info from para 3)
SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices rose 2.2 percent in March from a year earlier, mainly due to a hike in global oil prices caused by prolonged tensions in the Middle East, government data showed Thursday.
The reading, which hovers above the government's 2 percent inflation target, marks the steepest on-year increase since December, when inflation stood at 2.3 percent, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
A gas station in Seoul on March 31, 2026 (Yonhap)
The latest rise was driven by a surge in the price of petroleum products, which jumped 9.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the sharpest increase since October 2022, when the price spiked 10.3 percent on-year amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
Notably, diesel and gasoline prices jumped 17 percent and 8 percent on-year, respectively.
Global oil prices have risen sharply as the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, disrupting global oil supplies. South Korea relies heavily on imports for energy.
Prices of agricultural, livestock and fishery products edged down 0.6 percent, mainly due to a sharp drop in agricultural product prices, which fell 5.6 percent on-year. Prices of livestock and fishery products rose 6.2 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively.
Service prices increased 2.4 percent from a year earlier, driven by higher insurance costs.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
Related Articles
Prolonged Middle East crisis sparks garbage bag hoarding
(LEAD) Gov't to expand fuel tax cuts; diesel from 10 to 25 pct, gasoline from 7 to 15 pct
Consumer sentiment falls to 10-month low amid Middle East crisis
Keywords
#consumer prices
Articles with issue keywords
Most Liked
Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel
(2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma
(News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation
Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me'
(Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot
Most Saved
Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel
(News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation
(2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma
Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me'
(Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot
Most Viewed
All Categories
(3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation
Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level
(LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break
(2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war
(LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation
Most Viewed More
Most Viewed Photos
Indonesian president visits S. Korea
Cherry blossoms in S. Korea
Cherry blossoms in S. Korea
Senior U.S. diplomat in S. Korea
prev
(LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
Next
(LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
---
## Expert Analysis
### Merits
N/A
### Areas for Consideration
- Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Prolonged Middle East crisis sparks garbage bag hoarding (LEAD) Gov't to expand fuel tax cuts; diesel from 10 to 25 pct, gasoline from 7 to 15 pct Consumer sentiment falls to 10-month low amid Middle East crisis Keywords #consumer prices Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S.
### Implications
- Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.2 percent on-year last month, the ministry said. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Prolonged Middle East crisis sparks garbage bag hoarding (LEAD) Gov't to expand fuel tax cuts; diesel from 10 to 25 pct, gasoline from 7 to 15 pct Consumer sentiment falls to 10-month low amid Middle East crisis Keywords #consumer prices Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S.
- Korea prev (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices Next (LEAD) Consumer prices rise 2.2 pct in March on surging oil prices
### Expert Commentary
This article covers prices, percent, korea topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 539.
prices
percent
korea
consumer
oil
lead
march
pct
Original Source
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260402001351320