South Korea’s consumer prices rose 2.0% year-on-year in February, slightly easing from January’s 2.2% increase, as slower price growth in energy and agricultural products offset persistent pressures in processed foods and personal services. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, stood at 1.8%, marking a second consecutive month of stability. The government cited exchange rate volatility and global commodity prices as ongoing inflation risks and pledged to continue price stabilization efforts, including tariff adjustments and stockpiling of essential goods.

The Bank of Korea (BOK) saidthe latest inflation data reflects relative price stability but warned that external