SEOUL, July 1 Reuters South Korea39;s factory activity growth quickened in June to the fastest in 26 months, as new orders jumped on improving global demand, a privatesector survey showed on Monday.

The purchasing managers index PMI for manufacturers in Asia39;s fourthlargest economy, compiled by SP Global, rose to 52.0 in June, from 51.6 in May, on a seasonally adjusted basis.

It was the highest reading since April 2022, staying above the 50mark, which separates expansion from contraction, for a second consecutive month.

Another strong month of data provides further evidence that global industrial activity and trade are picking up, said Joe Hayes, principal economist at SP Global Market Intelligence.

Viewed as a bellwether for exports due to its integration in supply chains for key intermediate goods like batteries and semiconductors, South Korean manufacturing output and orders often provide leading signals for trends more broadly.

New orders expanded at the quickest rate since February 2022 on stronger demand both at home and abroad, with those from overseas increasing the most in five months, subindexes showed.

Asian countries including China, Vietnam and Japan, as well as other regions such as North America and Europe were cited in the survey as markets that yielded sales growth.

South Korea39;s exports, which have been growing since October led by demand for computer chips and from the United States, are recovering towards recordhigh levels, the finance…