SEOUL, Aug. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's consumer prices added 2.8 percent in July from a year earlier as oil prices continued to remain high, data showed Tuesday, although the growth fell below the 3 percent level for the first time in three months.

According to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, the increase slowed from a 3.1 percent and 3.2 percent on-year increase posted in May and June, respectively.

The July data was mainly led by petroleum product prices, with diesel prices rising a sharp 21.5 percent and those of gasoline adding 12.6 percent.

South Korea relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs.

colin@yna.co.kr

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