Bank of Korea Warns Chip-Boom Bonuses Could Lift Inflation; 2026 CPI Seen at 2.7%
2026-06-21 02:41:00
The Bank of Korea issued a rare warning that large performance bonuses driven by the memory-chip upcycle could spill over from the semiconductor sector into the broader economy and add to inflation pressure, according to 36Kr. The report said bonuses at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have surged, with luxury spending rising around chip manufacturing hubs, while retail stocks including Shinsegae, Lotte Shopping and Hyundai Department Store have been traded by some investors as “memory-themed” plays. The central bank currently forecasts South Korea’s overall inflation rate could reach 2.7% in 2026, well above its 2% policy target, making its July or September policy meetings key potential windows for a rate hike.
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