The business confidence of the nation's manufacturers has dropped for the first time in eight months.

The Bank of Korea (BOK) said Thursday that the business survey index (BSI) of manufacturers stands at 91 for the current month, down two points from September.

A reading under 100 means the majority of companies surveyed have a negative view of the current business environment.

The index dropped for the first time in eight months after it rose to 93 last month, the highest since 2003.

Companies surveyed cited sluggish domestic demand, economic uncertainties and the won's potential appreciation as factors for the drop in the index.

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