Bank of Korea & Interest Rates

Bank of Korea and interest rate news — monetary policy decisions, rate outlook, and economic impact.

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Investing at an Interest Rate Turning Point

KB Asset Management's Jung Sang-woo explains why central banks are holding high rates and how investors should reallocate bonds and equities.

Published 2026.09.15. 17:48:47

Bank of Japan Raises Key Rate to 1.25%, Highest in 31 Years

The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate by 0.25 percentage point to 1.25%, the highest since 1995, in a 7-2 vote.

Published 2026.09.18. 12:10:36

Bank of England Holds Key Rate at 3.75%

The Bank of England held its benchmark rate at 3.75% for a sixth straight meeting, with three of nine MPC members voting for a hike.

Published 2026.09.17. 20:16:13

Bank of Korea Warns Price Pressures Are Spreading Beyond Chips

The Bank of Korea warned price pressures could spread economy-wide, raising concern that expansionary fiscal policy will stoke inflation further.

Published 2026.08.31. 24:01:05

Korea's Small Business Guarantee Fund Sees Default Rate Top 4%

Korea Credit Guarantee Fund's default rate on general guarantees is projected at 4.3% this year, topping 4% for the first time since 2015.

Published 2026.09.17. 06:30:05

Korea Credit Guarantee Fund Default Rate to Top 4% for First Time Since 2015

Korea Credit Guarantee Fund's general guarantee default rate is projected at 4.3% this year, the first time above 4% since 2015.

Published 2026.09.16. 17:34:51

Bank of Japan Raises Rate to 31-Year High, Signals Slower Pace Ahead

The Bank of Japan raised its policy rate 25 basis points to around 1.25%, a 31-year high, as Governor Ueda signaled a measured pace of further hikes.

Published 2026.09.18. 18:08:06

Bank of England Holds Rate at 3.75%, Slows Bond Sales

The Bank of England held its policy rate at 3.75% for a sixth straight meeting and slowed quantitative tightening.

Published 2026.09.17. 20:44:44

Fed's First Rate Hike in Three Years Tests Korea's Debt Defenses

The Fed raised rates 0.25 point on the 16th, its first hike in three years, leaving Korea exposed with household debt above 2,000 trillion won.

Published 2026.09.18. 24:01:05

Korea Returns to 3% Rate Era, Testing Fiscal-Monetary Balance

The Bank of Korea raised its base rate to 3.00%, its second straight hike, putting fiscal and monetary policy coordination to the test.

Published 2026.08.28. 24:05:05

Over Half of OK Savings Bank's New Loans Top 16% Rate

More than half of OK Savings Bank's new household credit loans in July carried rates above 16%, the highest among major savings banks after Welcome.

Published 2026.09.18. 15:07:13

Yen Hits 7-Month High at 152 per Dollar on Rate Hike Bets

The yen hit 152.89 per dollar, its strongest in seven months, as traders bet on faster Bank of Japan rate hikes.

Published 2026.09.08. 17:32:46

Fed's Hawkish Signal Puts Pressure on BOJ to Speed Up Rate Hikes

The Fed's 0.25-point hike and hawkish tone pushed the yen to 156.42 per dollar, raising pressure on the Bank of Japan to tighten faster.

Published 2026.09.17. 17:59:34

Korean Mortgage Rates Head Toward 8% as Bank Bond Yields Spike

Korean five-year fixed mortgage rates rose to as high as 6.91%, with 8% possible if the Fed raises rates again this year.

Published 2026.09.17. 17:39:31

Bank of Korea Shifts $1 Billion From Stocks to Bonds in Outsourced Funds

The Bank of Korea will shift about $1 billion from developed-market equity to bond mandates at domestic asset managers to build their investment skills.

Published 2026.09.17. 05:40:05

Bank of Korea Expands Outsourced Global Bond Mandates, Trims Index-Tracking Equities

The Bank of Korea will cut developed-market equity mandates and expand global bond funds outsourced to domestic asset managers.

Published 2026.09.16. 12:00:05

Inflation and Rate Shock Test Korea's Fiscal Expansion Push

Korea faces a double shock as August inflation hit 3.1% and global bond yields surged, raising risks for households with over 2,000 trillion won in debt.

Published 2026.09.03. 24:01:05

Busan Pumps 1.2 Trillion Won Into Small Businesses at 1% Rates

Busan will supply 1.2 trillion won in policy financing to cut small business loan rates to the 1% range, aiding more than 40,000 merchants.

Published 2026.09.15. 16:09:56

Bond Yield Shock Warning: Korea Must Act Early to Shield Households, Firms

The KOSPI plunged 5.8% as global bond yields surged, and Korea's editorial board urges early action to shield households and firms from prolonged high…

Published 2026.08.20. 24:01:05

AI Is Widening Korea's Capital-Region Job Gap, BOK Says

The Bank of Korea says AI could widen Korea's regional job gap, with over 80% of new AI-exposed jobs concentrated in the capital region.

Published 2026.09.15. 18:22:22

Savings Banks See Retail Deposits Shrink as Assets Contract

Retail deposits are shrinking at South Korea's largest savings banks, with SBI's share down 1.06 percentage points, raising concerns over their funding…

Published 2026.09.16. 17:36:33

Loan Rates Should Reflect Systemic Shock, Not Just Default Odds

Kim Ja-bong of the Korea Institute of Finance says loan rates should reflect systemic shock and network risk, not just individual default probability.

Published 2026.09.15. 17:40:04

AI Widens Job Gap Between Capital Region and Rest of Korea

The Bank of Korea says 80.8% of the rise in generative AI-exposed jobs went to Korea's capital region, widening the regional employment gap.

Published 2026.09.16. 10:00:05

U.S. Inflation Flips Rate Outlook as 85% of Economists See Fed Hike

A Reuters survey found 85% of economists expect the Fed to raise rates 25 basis points in September after August inflation came in stronger than expected.

Published 2026.09.15. 19:13:32

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