A Yonhap survey of six economists found all expect the Bank of Korea to hold
rates today after consecutive hikes in July and August. Respondents said the
central bank will keep a tightening stance but is more likely to pause to
reassess timing than to pursue a rare third straight hike. Strong semiconductor
exports are supporting growth while supply- and demand-side pressures are
pushing inflation up, leaving scope for the tightening cycle to continue in the
near term. Korea’s Jan–Aug current-account surplus was $279.2 bln, roughly four
times the $69.7 bln recorded in the same period last year.
