Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Korea Governor Lee Chang-yong stated that the recent significant appreciation of the Korean won over the past two months is primarily due to unique circumstances, rather than fundamental economic factors [1] Group 1 - The Korean won has appreciated significantly in the last two months [1] - The previous depreciation of the won was exacerbated by political risks and economic slowdown, leading to a decline that exceeded what fundamentals could explain [1] - The recent appreciation can be viewed as a form of "normalization" of the currency [1]

Core Viewpoint - Japan's inflation rate has exceeded 3%, surpassing the government's and Bank of Japan's target of 2%, leading to market speculation about the timing of interest rate hikes [1][4]. Group 1: Monetary Policy and Inflation - The Bank of Japan is committed to a monetary normalization path, gradually reducing its bond purchases starting from April 2026 while decreasing its holdings of Japanese government bonds [1][3]. - The current inflation rate in Japan is over 3%, prompting market attention on the timing of potential interest rate increases, with the Bank of Japan monitoring the impact of U.S. tariffs and domestic political developments [1][4]. Group 2: Government Bond Holdings - The Bank of Japan holds approximately 560 trillion yen in government bonds, with internal consensus indicating that this amount is considered "excessive" [3]. - The Bank of Japan plans to exclude government bond purchases from its monetary policy tools, actively pursuing a quantitative tightening route to reduce its bond holdings [3][4]. Group 3: Future Rate Hikes and Economic Indicators - The Bank of Japan's President, Ueda, indicated that the timing for future interest rate hikes will be based on a comprehensive assessment of various data and information, without providing a clear stance [4][5]. - Market expectations for interest rate hikes are increasing, with probabilities of 9% for July, 20% for September, and 24% for October [4]. Group 4: Political and Economic Context - The upcoming Japanese Senate elections in late July and geopolitical developments may influence the Bank of Japan's decisions regarding interest rate hikes [5].