Recent data show food prices rose steadily last year from the year before.
Data by Statistics Korea show the consumer price index for 2018 rose one-and-a-half-percent compared to the previous year.
The prices of agricultural and fisheries products rose by 3-point-7-percent on year.
The price of ginger rose the most, by 66 percent,... to its highest level in 17 years.
Another popular spice in Korea, he red pepper powder, rose by 30 percent,... while Korea's staple food, rice, rose by more than 27 percent during the past year.
The price of take-outs and meals in restaurants also rose by three percent on year.
