In January, the consumer price index rose more than 5% in three months.
The National Statistical Office announced that consumer prices rose 5.2 percent last month compared to the same month last year.
This is a 0.2% p increase from the 5.0% increase rate last month and the previous month.
It is the first time in three months that the rate of inflation has increased from the previous month, from 5.6% in September last year to 5.7% in October.
The rise in utility bills has driven up the price of electricity, gas, and water.
By item, electricity, gas and water rose 28.3%, the highest since 2010, when separate statistics began to be compiled.
Following last year's April, July, and October, the first month of this year was also affected by an increase in electricity rates.
Processed foods rose 10.3%, the same rate as last month, and recorded the highest since April 2009 (11.1%).
Livestock and fishery products rose 1.1%, continuing the decline compared to -1.6% last month.
However, due to the influence of the cold wave, vegetables among agricultural products increased by 5.5%, turning to an upward trend.
The so-called shopping cart price, which consists mainly of frequently purchased items, rose 6.1%.