SEOUL, May 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's industrial output turned downward in three months amid the Middle East tensions, statistical ministry data showed Friday.

The seasonally-adjusted index of all industry production, which excludes the agriculture, livestock and fishery sector, fell 0.6 percent in April from a month earlier after rising 2.1 percent in February and 0.4 percent in March, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

The downturn was attributable to the negative effect of the continued Middle East conflict.

Production among manufacturers reduced 0.8 percent in April on a monthly basis as petroleum refining output and chemical production declined on the back of the Middle East conflict-related supply disruptions.

Production in the construction industry retreated 1.4 percent, but output in the public administration sector climbed 4.5 percent.

Output in the service industry decreased 1 percent in April after going up 1.5 percent in March.

The average capacity utilization rate in the manufacturing industry shrank 1.2 percentage points over the month to 73.7 percent in April.

The retail sales index, which reflects private consumption, dwindled 3.6 percent in April compared to the prior month, shifting downward from an increase of 1.9 percent in March.

Facility investment diminished 3.6 percent in April, and completed construction dipped 1.4 percent.

The cyclical variation factor for leading economic indicators, which gauges the outlook for future economic situations, added 0.6 points to 104.1 in April compared to the previous month.

The reading for coincident economic indicators, which measures the current economic condition, was up 0.2 points to 100.2 in the cited month.