South Korea’s 10-year government bond yield climbed to around 3.65%, the highest in nearly 2 years, as market expectations for interest rate cuts faded and funding costs rose. With investors pricing in a slower path to easier monetary policy, demand for longer-dated bonds weakened, pushing yields higher. Domestic firms are favoring shorter-term debt, with LG Energy Solution considering delaying a $700 million bond sale amid rising yields. Over the weekend, attention turned to President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed chair, adding uncertainty to US monetary policy and global markets. At the same time, the won’s persistent weakness has contributed to higher domestic yields. Heavy overseas securities investment by residents, totaling $129.4 billion between January and November last year has created a supply-demand imbalance in the FX market. This tightening of local liquidity has placed additional upward pressure on borrowing costs.
