BOK chief welcomes stronger won in containing AI-fueled inflation SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) —Bank of Korea Gov. Shin Hyun-song welcomed further won appreciation to contain inflationary pressure fueled by South Korea’s exceptional chip windfall and defended restrictive monetary policy despite geopolitical headwinds. Speaking at an International Monetary Fund Governor Talk in Bangkok on Tuesday, Shin discussed how the BOK is balancing low inflation, exchange-rate flexibility and financial stability as the global AI upcycle collides with October 14, 2026

IMF lifts South Korea's growth outlook to 3.3% on chip boom SEOUL, October 13 (AJP) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised South Korea's growth forecast for this year to 3.3 percent from 2.6 percent, as artificial intelligence (AI)-driven demand for semiconductors helped offset the drag from the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. The IMF's October World Economic Outlook raised the forecast by 0.7 percentage points for the second consecutive time, bringing the total increase since April to 1.4 percentage points from 1.9 pe October 13, 2026

Korea Inc.'s delinquencies simmer beneath the chip halo SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) — Strip away the chip halo and stress is deepening across corporate Korea, with overdue loans growing far faster than lending as elevated financing costs push vulnerable smaller companies closer to default. Delinquent corporate loans at domestic banks reached 10.1 trillion won ($7.6 billion) in the second quarter, more than triple the 2.9 trillion won recorded at the end of 2021, according to Bank of Korea data submitted to Democratic Party lawmaker A October 12, 2026

BOK chief Shin to attend G20, IMF-World Bank meetings SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) — Bank of Korea Gov. Shin Hyun-song will leave for Bangkok on Tuesday to attend G20 finance chiefs' meetings and the IMF-World Bank annual meetings, the central bank said Monday. Shin will attend the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting to discuss the global economy, economic growth and global imbalances with counterparts and officials from international financial institutions. He will also take part in the International Monet October 12, 2026

Earlier rate hikes preemptive, next moves data-dependent: BOK chief SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) —Preemptive interest-rate hikes in July and August had bought South Korean monetary policymakers time and room to maneuver as they weigh incoming data and financial risks before deciding their next move, Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song said. “We will determine the timing and pace of further rate increases while closely monitoring inflation, growth and financial stability,” Shin said Monday in opening remarks at his first parliamentary October 12, 2026

Korea's early-October exports doubled from a year ago at fresh high SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) — South Korea's chip-led export sizzle remains robust, with outbound shipments doubling from a year earlier to $26.1 billion in the first 10 days of October, with chips filling nearly half of them. Exports rose 102.0 percent from a year earlier, while imports increased 65.5 percent to $22.3 billion, leaving a trade surplus of $3.8 billion, according to preliminary data from the Korea Customs Service (KCS). The headline increase was amplified by October 12, 2026

Korea corporate loan delinquencies more than triple over 5 yrs SEOUL, October 12 (AJP) — Corporate loan delinquencies at South Korean banks topped 10 trillion won ($7.5 billion) for the first time at the end of June as unpaid debt grew far faster than overall lending over the past five years. Outstanding corporate loans at domestic banks rose 30.7 percent to 1,400.5 trillion won at the end of the second quarter from 1,071.1 trillion won at the end of 2021, according to data the Bank of Korea submitted to lawmaker Ahn Do-geol. Over the October 12, 2026

Korea to test tokenized government bonds in 2027 SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) — South Korea plans to test tokenized government bonds next year, whiled the the International Monetary Fund (IMF) worried a hasty shift could amplify liquidity shocks. The Bank of Korea (BOK) and IMF on Thursday jointly held a forum on “Scaling Tokenization: New Efficiencies, New Vulnerabilities,” a chapter of the fund’s October Global Financial Stability Report. “The Bank of Korea and the government are collaborating to launc October 8, 2026

Korea's C/A second monthly high, quadrupled on year as of Aug SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) —Unwaveringly robust chip demand fed the second-largest monthly current account surplus for South Korea in August, while Korean appetite for overseas debt was whetted by falling U.S. treasury and global bond prices, central bank data showed Thursday. The current account recorded a $46.11 billion surplus, widening from $42.08 billion in July and staying above $40 billion for a third straight month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). August's sur October 8, 2026

Can the Korean won stay resilient through year-end? SEOUL, October 7 (AJP) — The South Korean won has held steady for more than a month after a volatile year despite heavy foreign stock selling, renewed Korean investment overseas and advance government payments tied to U.S. investment — offering relief to Koreans planning overseas trips or financing education abroad. The won closed Wednesday at 1,340.4 per dollar, up 0.9 percent from September and nearly 7 percent from the end of 2025. The pair has hovered around 1,3 October 7, 2026