Inflation at 3.2% Pushes Bank of Korea Into First Hike Since 2023

The Bank of Korea raised its benchmark rate to 2.75% on Thursday, marking its first increase since January 2023 as consumer inflation climbed to a three-year high. The decision lands as South Korea’s stock market swings violently, with chipmakers SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics leading steep losses on Thursday. Inflation Forces the BOK’s Hand Governor