Korean Inc. net lending hits record high in Q2 SEOUL, October 7 (AJP) — South Korean nonfinancial corporations posted record net lending of 67.1 trillion won ($50.1 billion) in the second quarter as the Korean Inc. rushed to secure lending before interest rates went higher and chip boom fueled capital investment, the Bank of Korea (BOK) showed Wednesday. The figure more than tripled from 20.8 trillion won in the first quarter and marked the highest level since the BOK began compiling the series in 2009. Net lending is October 7, 2026

BOK taps market, FX experts for senior posts SEOUL, October 7 (AJP) — The Bank of Korea named two career officials with extensive financial-market and international finance experience to senior posts Wednesday, appointing Choi Young-joo as deputy governor and selecting Yoon Kyoung-soo as its next chief economist. Choi, currently director general of the Financial Markets Department, will oversee international finance and cooperation for a three-year term beginning October 8. He joined the Bank of Korea (BOK) in 1997 October 7, 2026

Global banks lift Korea growth outlook; J.P. Morgan sees 4% SEOUL, October 7 (AJP) — Major global investment banks ratcheted up 2026 growth forecast for South Korea to an average of 3.5 percent in line with a hotter-than-expected chip boom, with J.P. Morgan raising its estimate to 4.0 percent. The average projection from eight major investment banks rose from 3.3 percent at the end of August, according to data compiled by the Korea Center for International Finance (KCIF) as of the end of September. The consensus has risen for six October 7, 2026

Korean won holds firm — for now — as US investment pledge turns into payments SEOUL, October 6 (AJP) — South Korea has begun wiring funds to the United States under its $200 billion investment commitment in exchange for tariff relief, testing its ability to finance the pledge without unsettling the won. The currency held firm Tuesday, closing 0.4 won stronger at 1,343.6 per dollar despite signs that preparations for the investment program were beginning to affect foreign-exchange reserves. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lee Hyoung Il to October 6, 2026

IMF revision lowers Korea's current-account benchmark *The issue note reflects the author’s views and not necessarily the official position of the BOK SEOUL, October 6 (AJP) — An IMF demographic-model revision lowered South Korea’s estimated current-account norm by 1.10 percentage points, the largest decline among 26 economies, according to a Tuesday issue note from The Bank of Korea (BOK). Kim Min, an economist at the BOK’s International Department who authored the note, isolated the effect by comparing th October 6, 2026

Korea's FX reserves fall $1.72 billion as U.S. investment commitments loom SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) -South Korea’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $1.72 billion in September — the third-largest decline this year — as the country prepares to bankroll its pledged energy investments in the United States, highlighting potential pressure on its reserve holdings and the won. Foreign reserves stood at $440.56 billion at the end of September, down from $442.28 billion a month earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). The decline was th October 6, 2026

High yields strengthen case for BOK pause, November still open SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) — South Korea’s fiscal authorities moved to contain surging bond yields by cutting planned debt issuance by about 5 trillion won ($3.7 billion), while softer headline inflation added to the case for the Bank of Korea to pause this month after two successive rate increases. Consumer prices rose 2.9 percent year-on-year in September, easing from 3.1 percent in August, although petroleum prices remained elevated, according to data released Friday by t October 2, 2026

Korea to cut October bond offering by around $4B to tame yields SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) —South Korea will cut planned October government bond issuance by 4.9 trillion won ($3.7 billion) to 12.5 trillion won and may conduct emergency buybacks if further action is needed to stabilize the market, the Ministry of Finance and Economy said. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lee Hyung-il chaired a joint market review meeting with financial and housing authorities to agree on the measures. The government will consider further reductions October 2, 2026

Korea's inflation eases below 3%, price pressures persist Updated with additional information, market response, and comments from a ministry briefing. SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) — South Korea's annual consumer inflation eased below 3 percent in September despite elevated petroleum prices and the Chuseok holiday, reflecting depressed domestic demand amid strong economic growth. The consumer price index rose 2.9 percent from a year earlier, slowing from 3.1 percent in August, while adding 0.2 percent from the previous month, the Min October 2, 2026

Won slips out of comfort zone as Korea moves on U.S. investment deal SEOUL, October 01 (AJP) - Just when the won appeared to be stabilizing around 1,350 against the U.S. dollar, its year-end outlook has grown less certain as South Korea prepares to pay up to $10 billion toward U.S. nuclear reactor projects before December ends. The dollar-won exchange rate rose to 1,362.6 on Thursday as Seoul and Washington unveiled energy projects under their strategic investment framework. The commitments fall under Korea’s $200 billion investment pledge o October 1, 2026