FILE PHOTO: The logo of the Bank of Korea is seen on the top of its building in Seoul, South Korea, July 14, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo
February 27, 2020
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged on Thursday, defying expectations for a cut amid growing pressure to ease policy as the coronavirus hits demand in the export-reliant economy.
The Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Board held the benchmark interest rate <KROCRT=ECI> at 1.25%, in contrast to a Reuters poll that expected a quarter percentage point cut.
Only 10 out of 26 economists saw the bank standing pat this week. The other 16 predicted the bank to cut to an all-time low and for a third time.
Governor Lee Ju-yeol holds a news conference at 0220 GMT that is expected to be livestreamed via YouTube to limit crowds and contain the spread of the coronavirus.
(Reporting by Cynthia Kim and Joori Roh; Editing by Sam Holmes and Tom Hogue)
