Latest Korea Urges Inclusive Growth and Wider AI Gains at IMF Meeting

Minute Brief

18 Oct 2026

Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il told the IMF’s policy-setting committee that narrowing gaps in housing, jobs and financial services is essential to sustainable growth, while backing global cooperation on AI and debt challenges.

18 Oct 2026

Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il presented a stronger South Korean growth outlook to Moody’s, Fitch and S&P in Bangkok, citing robust semiconductor exports and investment while emphasizing policies to reduce economic disparities.

18 Oct 2026

All six economists in a new survey expect the Bank of Korea to keep its benchmark rate at 3 percent this week, pausing after two consecutive increases while inflation, growth and financial stability remain under review.

Economy

5 stories

Korea Urges Inclusive Growth and Wider AI Gains at IMF Meeting

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A generic LNG carrier at a gas terminal illustrates shifting energy imports to South Korea; it does not show a specific ship or shipment. AI-generated illustrative image; not a photograph of the event.