South Korea's central bank held interest rates steady on Thursday, as policymakers steered a cautious path amid concerns about financial stability risks stemming from rising household debt and economic pressure from U.

In a widely expected decision, the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea (BOK) held its key rate steady at 2.5 percent during a rate-setting meeting in Seoul, reports Yonhap news agency

U.S. stocks rise as investor appetite for AI rekindles. On Wednesday stateside, all three major U.S. benchmarks were up. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.94% to close at a new high of 20,611.34. Singapore stocks hit a new high for a fourth consecutive day amid mixed trading in Asia-Pacific markets Thursday.

President Donald Trump announced 25% taxes on products from Japan and South Korea, in addition to the threat of higher potential tariffs on goods from those nations if they raise their tariffs on American goods.

Live updates and the latest news as Trump and Netanyahu meet at White House to discuss Iran and the U.S. sends tariff letters to trading partners.

SEOUL: South Korea's Lee administration is scrambling to take the edge off the United States' new tariffs, as the nation's top security adviser departed Seoul on Sunday (July 6) to travel to Washington and join forces with Seoul's trade minister who arrived there the day before.

Korea and the United States are “entering a critical phase of discussions” on various trade and security issues, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Sunday while explaining the background of his three-day trip to Washington.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said that it remained unclear whether Seoul and Washington could conclude their tariff negotiations by the deadline set by President Donald Trump for next week, noting Thursday that both nations were still working to clarify their positions and identify areas of agreement.