BOK chief Shin to attend Jackson Hole, G20, BIS meetings SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song is heading for the United States on Thursday to attend the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, followed by G20 and BIS meetings. Shin will attend the Jackson Hole symposium from Friday and exchange views with central bank governors and academics. This year's symposium will be held under the theme "Financial Innovation: Implications for Payments and Policy." Shin will then attend the G20 Finance Mi August 27, 2026

BOK front-loads tightening, but disinflation tests early hikes SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea (BOK) has front-loaded monetary tightening with its first back-to-back rate hikes since January 2023, betting that South Korea's chip-powered economic resilience and increasingly persistent inflation warrant acting before price pressures become harder to contain. The BOK raised its base rate by 25 basis points to 3.00 percent on Thursday, following an identical increase in July. Governor Shin Hyun-song, proving to be a hawk by delive August 27, 2026

UPDATE: BOK stays hawkish after summer back-to-back hike *Updated with additional information, economic outlook and market response SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) -The Bank of Korea (BOK) on Thursday opted for a back-to-back increase to lift the key rate to 3.00 percent - the highest since January 2025 - in preemptive action to rein in inflationary pressure renewed from an economy expected to grow at its fastest pace in five years on the chip boom. The move was almost unanimous, with one dissent, and narrowed the interest-rate gap with th August 27, 2026

UPDATE: BOK lifts 2026 growth forecast to 3.3% *Updated with detailed economic outlook and Gov. Shin's comments SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) -The Bank of Korea (BOK) sharply raised its 2026 growth forecast to 3.3 percent on Thursday, citing a stronger-than-expected semiconductor boom, hours after delivering a second consecutive interest-rate increase to contain persistent inflation pressure. The central bank lifted this year's growth outlook by 0.7 percentage point from its May estimate of 2.6 percent. It also raised its 20 August 27, 2026

BOK delivers back-to-back hike to 3% Aug SEOUL, August 27 (AJP) -The Bank of Korea (BOK) delivered a back-to-back rate hike to bring the benchmark rate to 3.00 percent on Thursday after holding it at 2.50 percent for 14 months through June. The move narrowed the interest-rate gap with the United States to 50 to 75 basis points, with the Federal Reserve's target range at 3.50 percent to 3.75 percent, reducing one source of pressure on the won and capital flows. The BOK said stronger-than-expected growth, persistent i August 27, 2026

Korea business sentiment hits four-year high on chip boom SEOUL, Aug. 26 (AJP) — South Korean business sentiment rose to its highest level in nearly four years in August, buoyed by strong semiconductor exports and tourism demand even as domestic consumption and factory activity remained weak. The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) for all industries rose 1.1 points from July to 99.6, the highest reading since September 2022, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK) Wednesday. The outlook for September gained 3.1 points to 99. August 26, 2026

KOFIA survey shows bond market shifts toward BOK hold SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - Nearly eight in 10 bond-market professionals expect the Bank of Korea (BOK) to hold its policy rate Thursday, marking a sharp shift from the last poll ahead of the July rate-setting meeting, a survey showed Tuesday. The Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA) said 79 percent of 100 bond-market professionals it surveyed expected the BOK to keep its base Rate at 2.75 percent. Twenty percent forecast another increase. KOFIA said stronger economic gr August 25, 2026

Korea's new household loans hit three-year low in Q2 SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - South Korean consumer borrowing fell to its lowest in more than three years in the second quarter amid tighter caps on mortgage lending. The average amount of new household loans dropped 3.6 percent in April-June period from the previous quarter to 34.14 million won ($24,687) per borrower, preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK) showed Tuesday. The BOK attributed the decline in part to tighter loan management across the financial sector. The drop August 25, 2026

BOK allocates 20 billion won for flood-hit Gyeongnam SMEs SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - The Bank of Korea on Tuesday allocated 20 billion won ($14.5 million) in emergency funding to support small and medium-sized businesses hit by torrential rain in South Gyeongsang Province. The funds will be drawn from reserves under the central bank's Bank Intermediated Lending Support Facility and assigned to its Gyeongnam branch, the BOK said. Eligible businesses must have received official certification of flood damage from a local government or ad August 25, 2026

Korea's food costs climb across home meals and dining out SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - Korean households are facing renewed food-cost pressure across home cooking and dining out as extreme summer weather damages crops and fresh produce, adding to already elevated import costs. Korea Consumer Agency data released Tuesday showed ingredients for one home-cooked samgyeopsal (pork barbecue) meal cost 10,191 won ($7.38) in the first half, up 11.8 percent from a year earlier. “The first-half trend was moderate, but continuously rising wi August 25, 2026