The import price index added 0.5 percent in October from a month earlier after rising 0.2 percent in July, 4.2 percent in August and 3.0 percent in September, according to the Bank of Korea.
The weaker domestic currency against the greenback offset lower crude oil prices.
The average won/dollar exchange rate gained to 1,350.69 won per dollar in October from 1,329.47 won in the prior month.
Dubai crude, South Korea's benchmark, averaged 89.75 U.S. dollars per barrel in October, down 3.8 percent from a month earlier.
Price for imported raw materials fell 0.4 percent last month on cheaper crude oil.
Price for imported intermediary goods, including oil products, increased 0.9 percent in October from a month earlier owing to higher price for computers, electronic and optical devices, including semiconductors.
Import price for coal and oil products slipped 0.2 percent in October, marking the first slide in four months.
Price for imported capital and consumer goods went up 0.8 percent and 1.0 percent each.
The export price index climbed 0.5 percent in October on a monthly basis after rising 0.1 percent in July, 4.2 percent in August and 1.8 percent in September.
Latest comments