Bank of Korea holds rates as expected after back-to-back hikes

By SEOUL: The Bank of ​Korea left its ‌benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.00% ​on Thursday, ​pausing after back-to-back quarter-point ⁠hikes in ​July and August. The ​seven-member monetary policy board at the BOK ​voted to ​keep the seven-day repurchase rate ‌at ⁠3.00%, a decision that was forecast by all ​34 ​analysts ⁠surveyed by Reuters. South Korean shares fall nearly 3% as AI concerns hit chipmakers Governor Shin Hyun ​Song will ​hold ⁠a news conference at 0210 ⁠GMT.