South Korea
South Korea relaxes rules on credit cards
In a move designed to boost the recession-hit economy, South Korea relaxed credit card rules on Tuesday 30 September, according to AFP, allowing firms to extend the maturity of loans while putting off next year's deadline to bring their cash advances…
Report says Korean bank notes last longer
A report produced by the Bank of Korea says Korean bank notes are more durable than paper money from the USA, Canada and Britain, according to a report by Digital Chosun. The average durability of a W10,000 note was 54 months, much longer than the 18…
BOK announces coin campaign with UNICEF
The Bank of Korea has announced an agreement with UNICEF to support a coin collection campaign to raise funds for needy children in developing nations, the Korea Times reported.
Strikes may delay economic recovery: BOK chief
Bank of Korea (BOK) governor Park Seung said on Thursday 7 August that the central bank will keep a close eye on economic developments as there are both positive and negative signs present, reported the Korea Times. But if labour and risk management…
Global settlement bank CLS to recognise Korean won
The CLS Bank has said it recognises the Korean won as an eligible currency for the bank's settlement process in principle, according to The Korea Herald. Bank of Korea officials noted that the inclusion of the local currency as a CLS currency would free…
South Korea central bank sees economic recovery
Governor Park Seung of the Bank of Korea said on Friday 25 July, according to Reuters, that the economy could enter a recovery phase in the final quarter of this year but for the present, "our economy is in a very difficult spot", he added.
Korean parliament to push BOK reforms
The Korean parliament's Finance and Economy Committee was set to discuss revisions to the law governing the Bank of Korea on Wednesday after a sub-committee met Tuesday, according to a report by Yonhap News.
Korean deal on monetary board seats criticised
Two organisations that control two seats of the Bank of Korea's seven-member monetary-policy board, have criticized recent moves by the Ministry of Finance and Economy and the BOK to take over their rights to appoint board members, according to the Korea…
BOK faces dilemma in managing FX reserves
Korea's foreign exchange reserves topped the $130 billion mark according to the Bank of Korea. Representing a rise of $10.2 billion from $121.41 billion at the end of 2002, Korea Times reported.
BOK governor may get more say over board members
A draft bill may give the Bank of Korea more influence over the appointment of members to its monetary policy board, Dow Jones reports. The proposed bill would increase the number of members the governor, Park Seung, can recommend to the board.
Korean economy in serious condition: BOK governor
Governor Park Seung of the Bank of Korea said on Thursday 29 May that low growth and high unemployment pose a threat to the economy which has been heading toward a downturn since the third quarter of last year, according to the Korea Times.
BOK Governor discounts deflation risk
The Bank of Korea (BOK) governor Park Seung said on Thursday 22 May that there is little possibility of deflation at this point with the current heated real estate market, according to a report in the Korea Times.
Bank of Korea appoints new deputy governor
The Bank of Korea has promoted Assistant Governor Lee Seong-tae to deputy governor, reports the Yonhap news agency. He replaces Park Cheul who resigned voluntarily before the expiry of his tenure in July.
BOK Governor suggests NE Asian economic bloc
The governor of the Bank of Korea Park Seung has said that the Northeast Asian nations should beef up economic cooperation in the region in keeping with the global trend toward regional economic blocs, according to the Korea Times
Wanted: An Alan Greenspan for South Korea
In a recent interview South Korean. When asked what he thought the Bank of Korea should do to boost growth, Bloomberg News reports thathe showed his determination to maintain the bank's independence: "I think that issue should be determined by the…
S.Korean law makers push for central bank autonomy
Lawmakers in Korea aim to give the central bank more independence from the government, according to an article in The Korea Times. But the move could be opposed by the finance ministry which feels that policy cooperation is as important as independence.
Are Asian central banks easing up on derivatives?
An article, first published by Reuters, looks at the relaxation of restrictions on credit derivatives in Asian markets by central banks. Although these countries have traditionally blocked such instruments for fear of harming their exchange rates looser…
Korea's central bank props up markets
Following another corporate accounting scandal, the Bank of Korea has intervened to in Korean money markets, according to a BBC news report.
S. Korea central bank concerned over nuclear issue
Bank of Korea governor Park Seung has spoken of the concerns he has for the Korean economy with geopolitical factors and the North Korean nuclear issue, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
BOK raises pay for its top executives
Pay for top executives at the Bank of Korea increased by up to 30 per cent last year the central bank said, but the move raised eyebrows elsewhere.
OECD advise independence for S Korea central bank
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is set to recommend that South Korea guarantee more independence for its central bank in making monetary policy, it was reported on Tuesday.
Korea hosts EMEAP
The Bank of Korea began its 24th Executives' Meeting of East Asia and Pacific Central Banks (EMEAP) deputies on 25 November on the southern resort island of Cheju. It is expected that around 35 central bank deputy-governors and executives from EMEAP…
Korean central bank warns of deflation risk
The Korean nation had better be prepared in the event deflation should spring up, the Bank of Korea (BOK) has said. The bank fears a Japan style downward spiral of prices, but acknowledged the fear was low.
Korea - Inflationary pressures likely to mount
KOREA - Consumer-price inflation will likely accelerate in coming months due to wage hikes and the recent rise in international oil prices, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Thursday.