BOK chief says inflation could stay around 5% through H1 2023, warrants rate hikes
2022.10.06 23:19
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© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: South Korea’s new central bank governor Rhee Chang-yong speaks during his inauguration ceremony in Seoul, South Korea April 21, 2022. SeongJoon Cho/Pool via REUTERS
By Cynthia Kim
SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea’s central bank governor Rhee Chang-yong on Friday said country’s headline inflation is likely to stay around 5% through the first half of next year, which would warrant further increases in interest rates.
“Inflation in the 5% range could continue through the first half of next year,” Rhee said, responding to a question at a parliament session in Seoul.
“We look at supply and demand (inflationary pressures) but interest rates should increase should inflation stay above 5%.”
Expectations are increasing among analysts for a 50 basis point hike in the key interest rate to 3.00% when the Bank of Korea reviews policy at its Oct. 12 meeting.
Rhee has kept the door open for a continued tightening through the first half of next year, and analysts have predicted the base rate would peak at 3.50% in the first quarter of 2023.
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