BOK holds key rate steady for 8th straight meeting amid Middle East uncertainty

South Korea's central bank kept its benchmark rate unchanged Thursday, as lingering uncertainty in the Middle East prompted a cautious stance amid intensifying risks of inflation and currency weakness.

In a widely anticipated decision, the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea held the key rate steady at 2.5 percent in its rate-setting meeting in Seoul.

It is the first monetary policy meeting chaired by BOK Gov.

Shin Hyun-song, who took office last month.

It marked the eighth consecutive on ...