SEOUL, March 4 Reuters South Korea39;s factory activity expanded for a second straight month in February but at a slower pace due to weakening overseas demand, especially in Europe and China, a privatesector survey showed on Monday.

The purchasing managers index PMI for South Korean manufacturers, compiled by SP Global, stood at 50.7 in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, down from 51.2 in January.

The fall came after the index rose above the 50mark, which separates expansion from contraction, for the first time in 19 months in January.

PMI data for February indicated a further improvement in operating conditions midway through the first quarter, said Usamah Bhatti, economist at SP Global Market Intelligence.

Both output and new orders continued to expand, albeit at softer rates than those seen in January.

Overseas demand for South Korean goods broadly stalled in February, as stronger demand in the United States, Southeast Asia and the Middle East was offset by weaker sales in Europe and Mainland China, according to the survey.

New export orders rose only marginally, with the subindex down to 50.3 from 52.4 in January, which was the highest since February 2022.

Separate data earlier this month showed growth in South Korea39;s exports was weaker in February than in January but stronger if adjusted for workingday differences, as a surge in semiconductor demand made up for a decline in vehicle sales.

Amid growing demand, the backlog of work rose in February…