Seoul, April 23 (IANS) Despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the South Korean economy posted its fastest quarterly growth in 5 and a half years in the first quarter, supported by solid exports amid a semiconductor upcycle and resilient domestic demand, central bank data showed on Thursday.The country’s real gross domestic product (GDP) — a key measure of economic growth — rose 1.7 per cent in the January-March period from three months earlier, according to the preliminary data from th…
Latest Bank of Korea News & Updates
Seoul, April 20 (IANS) Outgoing Bank of Korea (BOK) Governor Rhee Chang-yong said on Monday that achieving economic stability and growth through monetary and fiscal policy alone has become increasingly difficult, calling for a broader role for the central bank in addressing long-term structural challenges.Rhee made the remarks during his farewell ceremony in Seoul, as he completed his four-year term. His successor, Governor-designate Shin Hyun-song, is set to begin his term Tuesday as his nomina…
Seoul, April 20 (IANS) Seoul stocks were trading sharply higher late on Monday morning, despite concerns over renewed tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 81.79 points, or 1.32 percent, to 6,273.71 as of 11:20 am (local time), reports Yonhap news agency.U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. has seized an Iranian-flagged commercial vessel in the Gulf, as part of its naval blockade. Iran called such ac…
Seoul, April 15 (IANS) The Korean won has remained relatively weak in recent months, but the country has sufficient dollar liquidity to respond to external shocks, Shin Hyun-song, nominee for the head of South Korea’s central bank, said on Wednesday.Shin made the remarks during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, as he has been tapped to replace outgoing Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Rhee Chang-yong, reports Yonhap news agency.”It is not appropriate to comment on the specific le…
Seoul, April 15 (IANS) South Korea’s money supply rose for the fourth consecutive month in February, as increases in savings deposits offset a decline in certificates of deposit (CDs), central bank data showed on Wednesday.The country’s M2, a key gauge of the money supply, stood at an average of 4,114 trillion won ($2.79 trillion) in February, up 600 billion won from a month earlier, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK), reports Yonhap News Agency.The figure rebounded i…
Seoul, April 11 (IANS) Cash assistance for the bottom 70 per cent of income earners in South Korea will begin being rolled out later this month, the government announced Saturday, as part of efforts to ease the financial strain caused by rising oil prices.The aid will first reach the most vulnerable within that income bracket starting April 27 and expand to the broader eligible group May 18.Approximately 32.5 million people are eligible for the aid, with payments ranging from 100,000 won ($67.30…
Seoul, April 10 (IANS) South Korea’s central bank kept its benchmark rate unchanged on Friday, as uncertainty in the Middle East prompted a cautious stance amid risks of inflation, currency weakness and slower growth.In a widely anticipated decision, the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea (BOK) held the key rate steady at 2.5 percent in its latest rate-setting meeting in Seoul, reports Yonhap news agency.It marked the seventh consecutive on-hold decision, even as the central bank remains…
Seoul, April 8 (IANS) South Korea recorded its largest-ever monthly current account surplus in February, driven by a semiconductor upcycle and strong exports, central bank data showed on Wednesday.The current account surplus totalled $23.19 billion in February, up sharply from $13.26 billion in January, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK), reports Yonhap news agency.It marked the highest monthly surplus ever, surpassing the previous record of $18.7 billion set in December 2025.Sou…
Seoul, April 3 (IANS) South Korea’s foreign reserves posted their sharpest monthly decline in about a year in March amid a stronger dollar and authorities’ efforts to manage exchange rate volatility, the central bank said on Friday.The country’s foreign reserves stood at US$423.66 billion as of end-March, down $3.97 billion from a month earlier, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).It was the sharpest decline since April 2025, when the amount fell by $4.99 billion on-month, reports…
Seoul, March 31 (IANS) The South Korean currency fell sharply to a 17-year low against the US dollar on Tuesday as the escalating Middle East conflict fuelled fears of further disruptions to global oil supplies and broader economic impacts.The won was quoted at 1,530.1 won per dollar, down 14.4 won from the previous session, extending its losing streak to a fifth consecutive session, reports Yonhap news agency.Tuesday’s level marked the lowest since March 9, 2009, on a closing basis, when the wo…