The BOK had previously suggested that the inflation needs to recover the 2 percent range in order to consider an additional rate hike.

South Korea’s key interest rate currently remains at 1.5 percent for six consecutive months, after a 0.25 percentage point increase in November last year, marking the first hike in more than six years.

Despite the reiterated wait-and-see approach, the BOK chief’s latest speech was largely taken as a slightly hawkish turn as he had recently called for the prolongation of the easing policy while the country pulls through slow growth and low inflation.

“There is the need to maintain the current eased monetary policies, as the domestic economy is under low inflation pressure in terms of demands, despite overall growth,” were Lee‘s words at the BOK’s 68th anniversary last week.

But notable external factors have made appearance during the past week, the top banker admitted.

While the US Federal Reserve indicated that it may carry out two more policy rate hikes this year, in addition to its latest and anticipated hike to a range of 1.75-2 percent, the mounting trade tension between Washington and Beijing was seen as a potential dampener to investor sentiment.

“In case the financial instability of emerging markets spread on further, the risk sensitivity of global investors may rise, which will in turn boost volatility in capital flow or prices,” Lee said.

“But considering (Korea’s) current account surplus and financial soundness, possibilities are low that a drastic capital outflow may occur here within a short period of time.”

He also referred to the decision by global rating agency Moody’s Investors Service on the previous day to maintain Korea’s rating at “Aa2” on the back of its resilience to global shocks, eased geopolitical risks and sound public finances.

“Despite some fluctuation in stock investment, there has been a steady capital influx into the bond funds, indicating a positive assessment of the country’s financial market,” Lee said.

When asked about the country’s record-high household debt and the dilemma between the minimum wage hike and income distribution, the BOK chief refrained from detailed comments.

“Monetary policies should be decided and operated in consideration of macroeconomic situations and financial stability of the market, and therefore should not be associated with concepts such as income distribution,“ he said,

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)