South Korea Inflation Hits 3.1% as Fuel, Mobile Fees Rise

Prices in South Korea rose more quickly in August than in July.

Overall consumer prices were 3.1% higher than a year earlier.

Fuel became more expensive, especially diesel and gasoline.

Mobile phone bills also rose sharply compared with last year.

This was partly because a large discount last year made the earlier prices unusually low.

Without the mobile bill effect, inflation would have been about 2.5%.

Prices for services, insurance and overseas tours also increased.

Some farm and seafood prices fell because there were larger supplies and government discounts.