South Korea Holds Benchmark Interest Rate at 2.5% Amid External Risks

South Korea's Bank of Korea kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.5 percent on Friday, as announced by the Monetary Policy Board, in a widely anticipated decision. The BOK cited external risk factors as justification for maintaining the current rate rather than adjusting monetary policy. This decision signals the central bank's cautious approach to economic management amid global uncertainties affecting Asian markets. The decision carries implications for currency stability, inflation control, and regional economic growth that influence U.S. trade and investment relationships with South Korea.