Import prices rose at the fastest pace in 19 months in November, driven mainly by the won's depreciation against the U.S. dollar.

Preliminary data released Friday by the Bank of Korea showed the import price index climbed to 141‑point‑82 in November, up two‑point‑six percent from a month earlier.

The figure marks the fifth straight monthly increase and the sharpest rise since April last year, when the index gained three‑point‑eight percent.

The central bank said that despite a drop in global oil prices, the weaker won drove import prices higher both month‑on‑month and year‑on‑year.

Dubai Crude, the nation’s key price benchmark, fell zero‑point‑eight percent in November from the previous month.

Meanwhile, the won weakened two‑point‑four percent against the U.S. dollar over the same period.