South Korea’s central bank has lowered its key policy rate and says the country’s economy will grow at a slower pace than it initially anticipated.

South Korea's central bank cut benchmark interest rates for a second straight meeting on Thursday in a surprise move as the economy stalled and inflation slowed more than policymakers predicted. The Bank of Korea (BOK) lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 3.

South Korea’s central bank unexpectedly cut its policy rate for a second straight time and lowered its growth forecasts as it looks to step up support for the sagging, trade-dependent economy as tariff risks loom large in the wake of the U.