Citigroup economist Jin-Wook Kim anticipates the Bank of Korea will raise its benchmark interest rate from 2.50% to 2.75% at its upcoming policy meeting. Following this, Kim expects the central bank to implement a 25 basis point rate hike each quarter during the second half of 2026. The Bank of Korea is likely to maintain a data-dependent approach for the first half of 2027, without offering specific guidance on future rate changes.