Korea's consumer sentiment slightly improves in July

The overall sentiment of South Korean consumers slightly improved from a month earlier in July as a growing number of people predicted better economic conditions down the road, central bank data showed Wednesday.

The composite consumer sentiment index for July came to 101, compared with 99 the previous month, according to the data from the Bank of Korea.

A reading above 100 means optimists outnumber pessimists.

The rise in consumer sentiment came as people believe their living conditions could get better.

A separate index gauging the people's sentiment toward the current economic conditions came to 71 in July, up from 68 the previous month.

An index measuring the people's sentiment toward future economic conditions stood at 80, up from 78 during the same period, according to the BOK.

The monthly index is based on a survey of 2,070 households throughout the country from July 13 to 20. (Yonhap)