Japan's export curb yet to take toll but may slow growth: BOK chief
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's economic growth may further slow down this year should Japan's export curb on South Korea begin to take a toll, the country's central bank chief said Thursday, noting that the Japanese export restrictions have yet to have any serious impact on Asia's fourth-largest economy.
"We have not yet taken into account the negative impact of Japan's export restrictions," Bank of Korea Gov. Lee Ju-yeol told the parliamentary finance committee.
Japan began implementing tougher export rules on South Korea-bound shipments of three key materials used to produce semiconductors and display panels at the start of last month.
Early this month, it also removed Seoul from its list of trusted trade partners, a move later reciprocated by South Korea.
"Conditions have worsened but they are still not at a level that requires a revision of our growth outlook," Lee added.
The BOK slashed its growth outlook to 2.2 percent last month, down from a 2.5 percent forecast three months earlier.
South Korea's exports have been on a steady decline since December, again plunging 13.3 percent in the first 20 days of this month from the same period last year.
"Should the conditions worsen and the sluggishness in exports and facility investment deepen, it may not be easy to reach the growth target set by the BOK," Lee said.
When asked what the recent inversion of the U.S. yield curve indicated, the BOK chief noted an inversion has historically been closely associated with a recession but insisted it did not automatically suggest an imminent downturn.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Actor Park Bo-gum passes barber license exam during military service -
(3rd LD) N. Korea fires intermediate-range ballistic missile toward East Sea: S. Korean military -
(LEAD) Jimin of BTS tests positive for COVID-19 -
(URGENT) S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases hit record high of 17,542
-
S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases top 17,500 as omicron rages
-
N. Korea to assume rotational presidency of U.N. disarmament conference -
S. Korea's daily COVID-19 cases surpass 14,000 amid rapid omicron spread -
N. Korea fires unidentified projectile toward East Sea: S. Korean military -
(3rd LD) N. Korea confirms missile tests, leader Kim visits munitions factory -
(LEAD) Lee, Yoon agree to hold one-on-one debate Jan. 31: parties
-
Actor Park Bo-gum passes barber license exam during military service -
(LEAD) New cases top 20,000 for 1st time amid raging omicron spread -
S. Korea to export K9 howitzers to Egypt in 2 tln won deal -
(LEAD) S. Korea qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup -
Policeman sentenced to 4 yrs in prison on charges of sexually assaulting colleague
