the Bank of Korea is expected to cut its policy interest rate for the third consecutive week next week to address growth concerns exacerbated by political instability caused by the impeachment of the president. Among the 26 economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal, 19 predicted that the Bank of Korea would cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.75% at the meeting on January 16. Suktae Oh and Kiyong Seong, economists at Societe Generale, said, "Concerns about the slowdown in domestic demand due to political turmoil following the declaration of martial law by Yin Xiyue may be a key driving factor for the upcoming policy meeting." The remaining seven economists expect the Bank of Korea to remain unchanged in January before cutting rates in February, as caution towards the weakening of the Korean won persists in the external environment. (Jinshi)