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Finance

Bank of Korea holds base rate at 3.00 percent, checks external uncertainty before further hikes

The Bank of Korea held its benchmark interest rate at 3.00 percent, citing increased uncertainty surrounding the Middle East situation and major countries\' monetary policies. The central bank said it will decide whether to raise rates further after reviewing the effects of two earlier hikes. All seven members of the Monetary Policy Board backed the decision. The board said tightening is still needed, but it must check spillover effects as uncertainties expand.

Industry

South Korea faces warnings of growing reliance on semiconductors

Warnings are growing that South Korea is shifting toward an economy led by a single semiconductor sector, similar to Taiwan. Record chip exports driven by AI demand are lifting potential growth forecasts and per-capita GDP projections. But analysts say gains are concentrating in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix as they handle production and packaging in-house. That could widen the gap between headline indicators and felt conditions, with institutions also warning of structural risks and weaker non-chip manufacturing.

Crypto

Bitcoin investor sentiment cools; prediction market sees 56 percent chance of fall to $80,000

Bitcoin investor sentiment has retreated to levels seen before the August rally, with the crypto fear and greed index falling to 56 from 67 a week earlier. Bitcoin slipped from last week’s high of $86,978 to as low as $81,749.83, and remains down about 4 percent on the week. U.S.-listed spot bitcoin ETFs posted large outflows, while ethereum funds extended their outflow streak. Rising oil prices and higher U.S. Treasury yields also weighed.