South Korea’s inflation slows but tightening bias seen intact

A giant inflatable Rubber Duck installation by Dutch artist Florentijn Hoffman floats on Seokchon Lake in Seoul, South Korea, September 30, 2022. REUTERS/Heo Ran

SEOUL: South Korea’s consumer inflation slowed for a second month in September, data shows, but economists say it would do little to change the central bank’s tightening bias amid growing talk that it could opt for a bigger hike next week.

Economists said the latest data suggested inflation was at or past its peak, but they expected the central bank to stick to its stance given the weakening won and an aggressive monetary policy in the United States.