South Korea's real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.6 percent in the third quarter from the previous quarter, central bank data showed Thursday.

The GDP growth rate fell from 1 percent in the first quarter to 0.6 percent in the second quarter and the identical figure in the third quarter, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

The third-quarter number was in line with market expectations.

Export, which accounts for about half of the economy, advanced 3.9 percent, leading the third-quarter expansion.

Private consumption, another growth engine of the economy, added 0.6 percent, posting the modest increase.

Facility investment, however, declined 4.7 percent in the quarter, keeping the downward trend for two quarters in a row.

Investment in the construction sector tumbled 6.4 percent in the third quarter from three months earlier, recording the fastest reduction since the second quarter of 1998.