Korea's central bank again left its benchmark interest rate unchanged Thursday as a weakened won and rising inflation concerns limited room for further easing. The Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea (BOK) held the key rate at 2.5 percent at its rate-setting meeting in Seoul, marking the fifth consecutive on-hold decision since July. The pause comes despite the central bank remaining in a monetary easing cycle. Since October 2024, the BOK has lowered the benchmark rate by a cumulative 100 basis points from 3.5 percent in an apparent effort to bolster economic growth.