S. Korea`s consumer price gains slow to 4.5 pct in November

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices grew at a slower pace in November than in the previous month as falling crude oil prices reduced overall import costs, a government report showed Monday.
The consumer price index rose 4.5 percent last month from a year earlier,
decelerating from a 4.8 percent on-year advance in the previous month, according
to the National Statistical Office (NSO).
Lower inflation comes from a sharp drop in prices of oil and other commodities.
The price of Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, has fallen nearly US$100 since
surpassing $140 per barrel in mid-July.
The November inflation figure still breached the central bank's target range for
a 12th straight month however. The Bank of Korea aims to keep the nation's
inflation rate under 3.5 percent until 2009.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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