BOK seen on extended hold as financial risks resurface SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - Financial stability concerns have re-emerged as the decisive variable in South Korea’s monetary policy outlook this year as inflation and economic growth return to target range. The Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Board on Thursday unanimously kept the benchmark rate unchanged at 2.5 percent, where it has remained since the May 2025 cut. “With inflation expected to remain stable near the target level, economic growth is projected to February 26, 2026

Celltrion ramps up US manufacturing to buffer against tariffs SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - Biopharmaceutical company Celltrion said Thursday that it has taken steps to ensure its U.S. operations remain uninterrupted amid growing uncertainty over tariffs following a Supreme Court ruling last week. In a statement, Celltrion said it is ready to respond regardless of how tariff-related issues are resolved after the U.S. Supreme Court found U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs policy unlawful. Celltrion, which acquired U.S. February 26, 2026

KOSPI and Nikkei extend record rally on Nvidia guidance SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - KOSPI and Nikkei extend record rally on Nvidia guidance South Korean and Japanese shares stayed on their record-setting path Thursday, lifted by rosy guidance from Nvidia, while China-linked markets remained subdued ahead of the annual policy-setting congress next week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened higher and briefly surpassed 59,000 for the first time in morning trade, marking a fresh record, before trimming gains to 58,863.20 around 11 a.m. Th February 26, 2026

BOK raises growth forecast for next year to 2% SEOUL, Feb 26 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) upgraded its growth forecast for 2026 economy to 2 percent next year, projecting a return to a potential growth rate after a year of sluggish performance, helped by chip-led exports strength and a recovery in construction activity. Consumer price inflation is projected to remain around 2 percent, similar to last year's levels, the central bank in its revised economic forecast released on Thursday. The growth for gross domestic p February 26, 2026

BOK holds at 2.5% as asset inflation fuels leverage risks SEOUL, February 26 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.5 percent on Thursday, extending a pause that has been in place since May last year, as surging asset prices rekindle concerns over leveraged investing and record-high household debt. The decision at the central bank’s second policy meeting of 2026 was widely expected. In January, the BOK subtly shifted its policy language, removing references that implied further easing and si February 26, 2026

"Up, up, up": KOSPI zooms past 6,000 — and where next? SEOUL, Feb 25 (AJP) - It took the KOSPI three months to climb from 4,000 to 5,000 — and less than a month to zoom past 6,000. On Wednesday, the index closed at a record 6,083.86, capping one of the fastest rallies in its history. The jump is striking for a market that once waited more than a decade to reach each new four-digit milestone: 1,000 in 1989, 2,000 in 2007 and 3,000 in 2021. The index finally broke above the 4,000 on Oct. 17, and then landed above 5,000 on Jan. February 25, 2026

Asian stocks rally ahead of Nvidia earnings; Nikkei hits Record, KOSPI breaks 6,000 SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Asian equities advanced broadly on Tuesday ahead of Nvidia’s earnings report due at February 26 at 6 a.m. (Korea time), with Japan and South Korea both closing at record levels as technology shares led gains. Nikkei Closes Above 58,000 for First Time Japan’s Nikkei 225 climbed 2.20 percent, or 1,262.03 points, to close at 58,583.12, decisively surpassing its previous high of 57,650, recorded on Feb. 10 following the lower house election. I February 25, 2026

South Korea targets $740 billion in exports this year SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - South Korea is aiming to boost exports by diversifying markets, extending its growth streak into a second consecutive year. At a meeting in Seoul on Wednesday, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-gwan unveiled plans to reach an export target of $740 billion this year. The goal follows last year's record $709.7 billion, which was driven by a historic surge in semiconductor exports. Citing growing uncertainty in the global trade environ February 25, 2026

The murmured question: Will Rhee become third BOK chief in second term? SEOUL, Feb. 26 (AJP) — That the Bank of Korea will keep the policy rate steady at 2.5 percent on Thursday is hardly in doubt. Whether Governor Rhee Chang-yong will still be holding the gavel beyond the April meeting is. Rhee’s four-year term ends on April 20, shortly after the next rate-setting meeting on April 10. Whether he remains in office will be decided next month. Under the Bank of Korea Act, the governor’s term may be extended once with presidential en February 25, 2026

Asian markets advance; KOSPI leapfrogs above 6,000 SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) — Asian markets opened higher on Wednesday on expectations that U.S. tariff measures would be applied more selectively following a landmark Supreme Court ruling, but their gains were eclipsed by the KOSPI’s staggering rally. Seoul’s main-board index surged past the 6,000-point mark at the opening bell, lifted by heavyweight technology shares as concerns over artificial intelligence-related disruptions eased. As of 11:10 a.m., the KOS February 25, 2026