Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has maintained South Korea's credit rating at "AA-" with a stable outlook.

The finance ministry said that Fitch maintained the country’s rating at the fourth-highest level on its sovereign ratings table with a stable outlook for the rest of the year, holding steady at the same rating held since September 2012, when the country was upgraded by a notch from A+.

Explaining the reasons behind its assessment, Fitch said on Tuesday that South Korea has robust external finances, a resilient macroeconomic performance and dynamic exports.

However, the agency pointed out some negative factors, such as geopolitical risks related to North Korea and structural challenges associated with the aging population.

The rating puts South Korea in the same class as Britain, France, Belgium, Ireland, the Czech Republic and the United Arab Emirates in the agency’s book.