Korea’s Consumer Sentiment Rises to Seven-Year High Ahead of BOK

South Korea’s consumer confidence rose to the highest in seven years as surging stock prices and resilient exports offset uncertainties surrounding US tariffs, giving the central bank added incentive to hold policy steady this week.

The composite consumer sentiment index climbed 0.6 point to 111.4 in August, the highest reading since January 2018, according to a Bank of Korea report released Tuesday. The survey-based index remains well above the neutral threshold of 100, signaling continued optimism.