The Bank of Korea on Thursday revised its 2014 growth outlook for the Korean economy down to 3 . 8 percent from its initial forecast of 4 . 0 percent after its monetary policy committee unanimously decided to keep its key base rate unchanged at 2 . 5 percent for October . Growing external uncertainties stemming from a government shutdown and debt - ceiling woes in the U . S . as well as the U . S . quantitative easing tapering in the near term far outweighed Korea ’ s expectations of a solid recovery next year . Korea ’ s growth forecast by the BOK for this year remained unchanged from its earlier projection in July at 2 . 8 percent . The central bank ’ s 2014 revision followed that of the International Monetary Fund , which reported that Korea is set for a “ modest recovery ” backed by its fiscal and monetary stimulus . But the IMF ’ s 2014 growth for Korea has been revised down from 3 . 9 percent to 3 . 7 percent on weaker global demand . “ The Korean central bank revised Korea ’ s 2014 outlook reflecting the IMF ’ s recent forecast change , ” BOK Gov . Kim Choong - soo told reporters after its monetary policy meeting . Also , rising energy prices driven by geopolitical risks in the Middle East and China ’ s slowdown led the BOK to change its economic outlook . The governor added that it maintained its key rate for the fifth straight month , citing Korea ’ s modest growth trajectory backed by improved economic data such as exports , consumption and investment . However , persisting risks concerning the U . S . economy were overshadowing the prospects for the Korean economy , making the central bank cut its 2014 forecast . The BOK ’ s 2014 outlook is 0 . 1 percentage point lower than the Ministry of Strategy and Finance ’ s forecast of 3 . 9 percent . “ The tapering of the U . S . quantitative easing shows two sides of the world ’ s largest economy ― one is that such a move reflects that the U . S . economy is recovering , while it could ( adversely ) affect the financial markets , ” Gov . Kim explained . Considering stable oil and farm product prices , the BOK also cut its consumer inflation projection for this year to 1 . 2 percent from its earlier estimate of 1 . 7 percent . The 2014 inflation outlook was also dropped to 2 . 5 percent from 2 . 9 percent . Analysts said that even though Korea has sound economic fundamentals , increasing debt including household debt poses a downside risk to Asia ’ s fourth - largest economy . “ Given Korea has strengthened its economic fundamentals and extended the maturity profile of its stable external debt , we believe Korea is in a stronger position than in 2008 to weather its financial system from external shocks over the immediate horizon . ” “ But the increase in long - term external debt implies that policymakers will need to sustain Korea ’ s strong fundamentals over the medium term . ” HSBC Global Research said in a report . The country ’ s high household debt remained a “ key issue ” as it reached over 150 percent of disposable income , the HSBC report noted , adding that this could further make it harder for the mid - income earners . By Park Hyong - ki ( hkp @ heraldcorp . com ) [ Hot News ] ◆ 朴 대통령 아세안 정상회의 서 도 ' 세일즈 외교 ' 주력 ◆ 미국 새 연준 의장 에 재닛 옐런 현 부의장 ◆ 세계 최초 휘 는 화면 스마트폰 ' 갤럭시 라운드 ' 출시 ◆ " 삼성 , 실리콘밸리 서 인수 대상 업체 물색 " ◆ 따뜻 한 의학 드라마 ' 굿 닥터 ' 시청 률 . .. 더 많 은 기사 보 러 가 기 → [ 코리아 헤럴드 홈페이지 ] [ 트위터 ] [ 페이스북 ] 구독 신청 1588 - 0533