The move was expected by the market.

  • S. Korea central bank raises the key interest rate to 1.5% from 1.25%
  • It is the first hike since 2011.
  • The last policy change was a cut in June 2016.
  • 18 of 24 predicted the hike according to Bloomberg
  • The BOK said in a quarterly monetary report that the conditions were moving toward an adjustment.