The Bank of Korea's monetary policy board on Thursday kept the nation's benchmark interest rate unchanged at the record low 1.50 percent - in line with expectations.
The central bank had trimmed rates by 25 basis points in both its June and March meetings. That followed quarter-point cuts in October and August - before which the central bank had kept the rate unchanged for 14 straight meetings.
The BoK was satisfied that the threat of deflation had been addressed by the previous month's action.
And while some of the past month's economic data was skewed, the bank has taken into account the persistent presence of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome as a factor.
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April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.