(2nd LD) S. Korea sells US$1.3 bln of FX bonds at 2nd-lowest rates

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By Kim Soo-yeon

SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea said Thursday it has sold about US$1.3 billion worth of foreign exchange stabilization bonds at the second-lowest ever rates amid solid demand.

The government sold U.S. dollar-denominated bonds worth $500 million with a maturity of 10 years and five-year euro-denominated debts worth $700 million, according to the finance ministry.

The dollar bonds carry a yield of 1.769 percent, or 25 basis points more than the rate of U.S. 10-year Treasuries, while the euro bonds carry a yield of minus 0.053 percent, it added.

The bonds were issued at the second-lowest rates, underscoring foreign investors' strong demand. The debts were also sold with the lowest-ever spread over benchmark bond yields.

The euro-denominated debts were green bonds, making South Korea the first Asian government to issue such bonds. The proceeds of the debt sale will be used to support green energy projects.

The finance ministry said the debt sale was successful despite increased volatility in the global financial markets amid growing inflation risks and major countries' moves to adjust monetary policy stances.

Currency stabilization bonds are designed to raise money needed for the government to keep foreign exchange rates stable.

Their yields often serve as a benchmark for Korean bonds being traded in international financial markets.

South Korea's foreign exchange reserves hit a record high of $463.97 billion in September, up $40 million from the previous month, according to central bank data.

sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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