Finance

Bank of Korea governor Shin Hyun-song says rate hikes needed before it is too late

Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song said there is a need to raise the policy interest rate before it is too late, stressing a focus on price stability. He said growth has strengthened on the back of solid semiconductor exports driven by the global spread of AI, but inflation burdens are rising. He also cited risks from the housing market, household debt and leveraged investing.

Finance

Supply chain reshuffle, tech rivalry deepen; call grows for more precise financial policy

Calls are growing to redefine the roles of policy finance and private finance and to change not only the scale of funding but also how it is allocated, as supply chain uncertainty and technology rivalry intensify. Speakers at a Seoul seminar said financial policy should be refined to support strategic industries, small manufacturers and early-stage innovators. They also cited the need to expand direct finance and venture capital, improve exit markets and strengthen expertise at financial institutions.