SEOUL -- The head of South Korea's central bank on Thursday signaled an interest rate increase is coming within this year, striking a note of caution about side effects from a prolonged loose monetary policy.
The Bank of Korea's seven-member policy board opted the same day to hold the benchmark rate steady at a record-low 0.5%, with one dissenting vote. But Gov. Lee Ju-yeol said keeping interest rates low for too long would worsen financial imbalances and undermine the country's growth base.
