Analysis of BOK's Base Interest Rate Freeze in January 2026: Background and Market Impact
Analysis of BOK's Base Interest Rate Freeze in January 2026: Background and Market Impact [Choice of the First MPC in 2026: A Cautious Freeze] On January 15, 2026, the Monetary Policy Board (MPC) of the Bank of Korea decided to freeze the base interest rate at its current level during the first meeting of the year. While the trend of price stabilization is becoming clear, high household debt and uncertainties in the global environment have held them back. In this post, we analyze the specific background of the rate freeze and its impact on the market based on data. Bank of Korea Base Rate Freeze (Jan 15, 2026): Background and Investment Implications 1. Core Background of the Rate Freeze: Tightrope Walk Between Prices and Household Debt The primary reason for the Bank of Korea's (BOK) rate freeze is the balance between 'confirmed price stability' and 'househol...