Gap between real and perceived inflation rate increases 국민 체감물가 5%대...정부 통계의 4배

Click "CC" for Scripts Subscribe to Arirang News! Turning to some economic news now Consumer prices in Korea are beginning to stabilize, but there are growing concerns about the public's perception of the inflation rate The inflation rate remained well below the central bank's target in August, but the rate felt by Koreans was FOUR times greater than the official figures Kim Min-ji has the details According to the latest figures by Statistics Korea Monday, Korea's consumer prices edged up just 1-point-3-percent in August, compared to the same month last year Consumer prices have been rising slowly over the past several months, and have stayed in the 1-percent range for ten straight months That's with the exception of July, when prices grew 1-point-four percent, the fastest pace in five months The consumer inflation rate in August was also well below the central bank's inflation target band of two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half percent this year A recent survey, however, has shown that the inflation rate felt by Koreans is FOUR times greater than official figures The Hyundai Research Institute said Sunday, that consumers feel they have experienced a 5-point-4-percent rise in consumer prices this year, from the same period a year earlier Researchers attributed the discrepancy in the real and imagined figures to the price hikes of domestic agricultural products due to unfavorable weather conditions and an increase in the prices of daily necessities Experts say that the discrepancy will likely widen due to an expected rise in housing rental prices and taxi fares in the second half of the year The government last week predicted that Korea's consumer prices will increase 1-point-7-percent this year Kim Min-ji, Arirang News