Korea's consumer prices rose 2.9 percent in September from a year earlier, data showed Friday, with energy costs remaining elevated while prices for agricultural goods declined. According to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, consumer price growth returned to 2 percent levels in September, slowing from a 3.1 percent on-year rise posted in August. In September, diesel prices rose sharply by 20 percent, and gasoline prices shot up 11.8 percent. Korea relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs.