The Bank of Korea(BOK) kept the benchmark interest rate steady at the record-low level of one-point-25 percent at a monetary policy meeting on Thursday. 
 
The rate has stayed unchanged since the central bank slashed it by a quarter of a percentage point in June of last year.
 
The BOK had indicated a rate hike in June, but opted to keep the rate unchanged at three successive monetary policy meetings.
 
Although robust semiconductor exports have boosted economic growth, the economy is being held down by North Korea-related risks and a prolonged diplomatic row with China over the U.S. THAAD antimissile system.
 
At the previous monetary policy meeting in August, the central bank said the South Korean economy is expected to maintain generally favorable growth, but warned of uncertainties due to geopolitical risks. 

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