Business sentiment in South Korea declined for the first time in three months in October due to fewer working days from the extended Chuseok holiday and a weaker local currency.

The Bank of Korea's Business Survey and Economic Sentiment Index for October 2025, released on Wednesday, showed that South Korea's Composite Business Sentiment Index(CBSI) fell one point from the previous month to 90-point-six.

The metric marked the first drop since July after two straight months of growth driven by government-issued consumption coupons.

A reading below 100 indicates that pessimists outnumber optimists.

The CBSI in the manufacturing sector fell one point to 92-point-four, and that in non-manufacturing industries, including restaurants, wholesale and retail, also slipped one point to 89-point-five.