S. Korea keeps interest rate at record low

South Korea's central bank on Thursday left its key interest rate unchanged at a record-low 1.5 percent for the fifth straight month ahead of a possible US rate hike. The widely expected decision by the Bank of Korea was reached unanimously by its seven-member Monetary Policy Board, following a cut of 0.25 basis points in June. The bank has cut its interest rate by a full percentage point in four stages since August last year.