Overview
- All 34 economists in a Feb. 19–23 Reuters poll forecast no change at the Feb. 26 meeting, keeping the base rate at 2.50%.
- Every one of the 30 economists who offered end-2026 views expects the 2.50% setting to hold through 2026, reversing January projections that still allowed for another cut.
- Policymakers’ stance reflects foreign‑exchange pressures, with the won down about 5.2% since last May’s cut and drawing U.S. Treasury scrutiny.
- Authorities have moved to curb volatility using tools such as an FX swap line between the Bank of Korea and the National Pension Service.
- Housing risks continue to build as Seoul apartment prices rose for a 55th straight week, up 0.15% most recently, even as January inflation eased to roughly 2.0%.