War, weak growth, and policy uncertainty around Trump’s return already threaten the Korean economy. An extended political crisis will make things worse.

By bno - Taipei Bureau South Korea's central bank has opted to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3% despite mounting concerns over the country's economic performance. This decision follows two consecutive rate cuts in October and November,

South Korea's central bank Thursday held its benchmark policy rate at 3% in a surprise move, opting to assess changes in domestic and external economic conditions after having delivered two back-to-back cuts in its previous meetings.

Outlook: Investors are still not pricing in enough risks in emerging markets from the fallout of a new US-China trade war, writes Manik Narain of UBS. We have a busy day ahead with data releases and Wall Street earnings:

Despite mounting woes leading to weak growth momentum, South Korea's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate frozen Thursday in the wake of the weak local currency and uncertainties stemming from the new Donald Trump administration.

The surprise decision came as South Korea's trade-dependent economy faces challenges from weakening export growth and a sluggish recovery in domestic demand, partly hindered by political turmoil following impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law in December.

South Korea's acting President Choi Sang-mok said on Friday the government will make an all-out effort to stabilise the economy and will monitor financial markets around the clock to act if needed.

The Indonesian rupiah stayed near six-month lows on Thursday, while the South Korean won snapped a three-day winning streak after both countries' central banks shocked investors by eschewing widely anticipated interest rate calls.

IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, rose 336.78 points or 0.44% to 77,060.86. The Nifty 50 index added 108.90 points or 0.47% to 23,322.10.

Explore what to expect with the KOSPI 200 index after the latest Bank of Korea interest rate decision in which officials left rates intact

The BoK's choice to hold rates steady appears to be an effort to stabilize the South Korean won, which has recently plummeted to a 15-year low against the U.S. dollar, exacerbating economic uncertainties.

South Korea's central bank unexpectedly left its policy interest rate unchanged on Thursday, weighing the impact of its back-to-back cuts last year while supporting the won which has weakened to a 15-year low versus the U.