The South Korean central bank Thursday left a key interest rate unchanged at 5%, as expected, saying domestic demand showed signs of moderation while exports continued to grow at a robust pace.

The Bank of Korea wrote in a statement consumer price inflation continues to show a rapid rise on the back of high oil prices, while a high degree of uncertainty surrounded future economic developments in the wake of the global financial market turmoil and the U.S. economic slowdown.

The U.S. dollar slipped 0.1% to 975 won after the announcement.

Inflation