S.Korea fin min repeats caution needed on rate hike

SEOUL, Feb 8 - South Korean Finance Minister Yoon Jeung-hyun on Monday reiterated the government's stance that the central bank needed to be cautious over any rate increases, saying the country needed to maintain expansionary macroeconomic policy.

"The economy remains on a recovery trend but growing uncertainty at home and abroad have boosted downside risks and the private sector has not secured self-recovery power yet," Yoon told parliament.

The remarks came before the central bank is due to hold its monthly rate setting meeting on Thursday.