SEOUL, The chief of South Korea’s central bank on Tuesday emphasized the bank’s independence in setting the key rate as some lawmakers and the presidential office appear to be putting pressure on it to cut the rate.

Last month, the BOK’s seven-member…

SEOUL, South Korean stocks closed higher to end at an over two-year high Tuesday as foreign investors scooped up blue chips after a tech-led rally on Wall Street. The local currency advanced slightly against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Compo…