Uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy deepens amid Middle East crisis: BOK | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Uncertainty over the path of U.S. monetary policy has deepened amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, a senior official at South Korea's central bank said Thursday. At a press conference following the decision, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the surge in oil prices has increased inflationary pressures, signaling a cautious stance on the timing of further rate cuts. "Following the outcome of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path has increased further, while external risk factors, including ongoing instability in the Middle East, continue to persist," Bank of Korea (BOK) Deputy Gov. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference on March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C., in this AP photo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) Fed holds key rate steady, projects 1 rate cut this year amid Iran war uncertainty (LEAD) Korean currency falls sharply past 1,500 won amid oil price surge Keywords #Federal Reserve #BOK Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (2nd LD) N. Korea's national sports festival Buddhist monks' anti-war rally Buddhist monks' anti-war rally prev Uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy deepens amid Middle East crisis: BOK Next Uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy deepens amid Middle East crisis: BOK

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SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Uncertainty over the path of U.S. monetary policy has deepened amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, a senior official at South Korea's central bank said Thursday.
On Wednesday (U.S. time), the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at the 3.5-3.75 percent range for the second consecutive time, while maintaining its projection of one rate cut this year.
At a press conference following the decision, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the surge in oil prices has increased inflationary pressures, signaling a cautious stance on the timing of further rate cuts.
"Following the outcome of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path has increased further, while external risk factors, including ongoing instability in the Middle East, continue to persist," Bank of Korea (BOK) Deputy Gov. Yoo Sang-dai said while presiding over a market assessment meeting.
"We will remain on high alert and closely monitor the development of both internal and external risk factors and their impact on the markets and the economy," Yoo said, vowing to take "timely market stabilization measures" if necessary.
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference on March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C., in this AP photo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy deepens amid Middle East crisis: BOK

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Korea committed to expanding nuclear, missile programs; poses 'significant' threats to S.

### Areas for Consideration
- At a press conference following the decision, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the surge in oil prices has increased inflationary pressures, signaling a cautious stance on the timing of further rate cuts. "Following the outcome of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path has increased further, while external risk factors, including ongoing instability in the Middle East, continue to persist," Bank of Korea (BOK) Deputy Gov.
- Yoo Sang-dai said while presiding over a market assessment meeting. "We will remain on high alert and closely monitor the development of both internal and external risk factors and their impact on the markets and the economy," Yoo said, vowing to take "timely market stabilization measures" if necessary.
- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference on March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C., in this AP photo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) Fed holds key rate steady, projects 1 rate cut this year amid Iran war uncertainty (LEAD) Korean currency falls sharply past 1,500 won amid oil price surge Keywords #Federal Reserve #BOK Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- OK SEOUL, March 19 (Yonhap) -- Uncertainty over the path of U.S. monetary policy has deepened amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, a senior official at South Korea's central bank said Thursday.
- At a press conference following the decision, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the surge in oil prices has increased inflationary pressures, signaling a cautious stance on the timing of further rate cuts. "Following the outcome of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path has increased further, while external risk factors, including ongoing instability in the Middle East, continue to persist," Bank of Korea (BOK) Deputy Gov.
- Yoo Sang-dai said while presiding over a market assessment meeting. "We will remain on high alert and closely monitor the development of both internal and external risk factors and their impact on the markets and the economy," Yoo said, vowing to take "timely market stabilization measures" if necessary.
- Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference on March 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C., in this AP photo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) Fed holds key rate steady, projects 1 rate cut this year amid Iran war uncertainty (LEAD) Korean currency falls sharply past 1,500 won amid oil price surge Keywords #Federal Reserve #BOK Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (2nd LD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, amid, middle topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 529.