S. Korea's finance ministry says local economy remains "sluggish" on lackluster exports and investment

South Korea's finance ministry says the country's exports and investment remain sluggish due to the slowing global economy and worsening market conditions in the manufacturing sector.According to the ministry's monthly economic report released today,... Korea's facility investment and construction investment fell 7 percent and 3-and-a-half percent respectively in August,... compared to the same period last year.In addition,... exports also tumbled 13-point-6 percent on-year last month,... extending its downturn to nine months in a row.In its report,... the ministry described the local economy as "sluggish" for 6 straight months,... the longest since March, 2005.