Rating Agency | Rating | Outlook | Last Update | Action |
---|---|---|---|---|
Standard & Poor's | AA | - | 8 Aug 2016 | rating upgrade |
Moody's Investors Service | Aa2 | - | 18 Dec 2015 | rating upgrade |
Fitch Ratings | AA- | - | 6 Sep 2012 | rating upgrade |
DBRS | - | - |
Current South Korea credit ratings, according to the main rating agencies, provide a snapshot of the country’s creditworthiness and financial stability. These ratings are critical for understanding how international and domestic investors perceive South Korea ability to honor its financial commitments.
The ratings are determined by comprehensive evaluations conducted by major credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's (S&P), Moody's, and Fitch Ratings. Each of these agencies uses a distinct rating scale and methodology to assess the economic and financial health of South Korea, taking into account various factors such as economic performance, fiscal policies, political stability, and debt levels.
Discover what a Credit Rating is and why it matters.
South Korea: Long-term Rating Scales Comparison
South Korea long-term credit ratings, as assigned by major rating agencies, offer a comparative insight into the country's creditworthiness over an extended period. Each rating agency uses its own scale to evaluate the credit risk associated with South Korea sovereign debt. These scales help investors understand the likelihood that South Korea will meet its financial obligations.
Symbol means a negative outlook.
Grade | Description | S&P | Moody's | Fitch | DBRS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Investment Grade |
Prime |
AAA
|
Aaa
|
AAA
|
AAA
|
High Medium Grade |
AA+
|
Aa1
|
AA+
|
AA(high)
|
|
AA
|
Aa2
|
AA
|
AA
|
||
AA-
|
Aa3
|
AA-
|
AA(low)
|
||
Upper Medium Grade |
A+
|
A1
|
A+
|
A(high)
|
|
A
|
A2
|
A
|
A
|
||
A-
|
A3
|
A-
|
A(low)
|
||
Lower Medium Grade |
BBB+
|
Baa1
|
BBB+
|
BBB(high)
|
|
BBB
|
Baa2
|
BBB
|
BBB
|
||
BBB-
|
Baa3
|
BBB-
|
BBB(low)
|
||
Speculative Grade |
Speculative |
BB+
|
Ba1
|
BB+
|
BB(high)
|
BB
|
Ba2
|
BB
|
BB
|
||
BB-
|
Ba3
|
BB-
|
BB(low)
|
||
Highly Speculative |
B+
|
B1
|
B+
|
B(high)
|
|
B
|
B2
|
B
|
B
|
||
B-
|
B3
|
B-
|
B(low)
|
||
Substantial Risk |
CCC+
|
Caa1
|
CCC+
|
CCC(high)
|
|
CCC
|
Caa2
|
CCC
|
CCC
|
||
CCC-
|
Caa3
|
CCC-
|
CCC(low)
|
||
Extremely Speculative |
CC
|
Ca
|
CC
|
CC
|
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
||
In Default |
RD
|
/
|
RD
|
RD
|
|
SD
|
/
|
SD
|
SD
|
||
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
D•NR
|
South Korea Credit Ratings historical data
Symbol means a positive outlook assigned by the rating agency.
Symbol means a negative outlook.
Date | S&P | Moody's | Fitch | DBRS |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 Aug 2016 | AA | |||
18 Dec 2015 | Aa2 | |||
15 Sep 2015 | AA- | |||
10 Apr 2015 | Aa3 | |||
19 Sep 2014 | A+ | |||
13 Sep 2012 | A+ | |||
6 Sep 2012 | AA- | |||
27 Aug 2012 | Aa3 | |||
2 Apr 2012 | A1 | |||
7 Nov 2011 | A+ | |||
14 Apr 2010 | A1 | |||
1 Sep 2009 | A+ | |||
9 Nov 2008 | A+ | |||
25 Jul 2007 | A2 | |||
25 Apr 2006 | A3 | |||
23 Oct 2005 | A+ | |||
19 Sep 2005 | A | |||
27 Jul 2005 | A | |||
11 Jun 2004 | A3 | |||
10 Feb 2003 | A3 | |||
15 Nov 2002 | A3 | |||
24 Jul 2002 | A- | |||
27 Jun 2002 | A | |||
13 May 2002 | BBB+ | |||
28 Mar 2002 | A3 | |||
29 Nov 2001 | Baa2 | |||
13 Nov 2001 | BBB+ | |||
21 Sep 2000 | BBB+ | |||
16 Dec 1999 | Baa2 | |||
11 Nov 1999 | BBB | |||
24 Jun 1999 | BBB | |||
26 Apr 1999 | BBB- | |||
12 Feb 1999 | Baa3 | |||
25 Jan 1999 | BBB- | |||
19 Jan 1999 | BBB- | |||
4 Jan 1999 | BB+ | |||
22 Dec 1998 | BB+ | |||
18 Dec 1998 | Ba1 | |||
19 Jun 1998 | BB+ | |||
18 Feb 1998 | BB+ | |||
3 Feb 1998 | BB+ | |||
21 Jan 1998 | B- | |||
16 Jan 1998 | B+ | |||
9 Jan 1998 | Ba1 | |||
23 Dec 1997 | B- | |||
22 Dec 1997 | B+ | |||
21 Dec 1997 | Ba1 | |||
11 Dec 1997 | BBB- | BBB- | ||
10 Dec 1997 | Baa2 | |||
27 Nov 1997 | A3 | |||
26 Nov 1997 | A | |||
25 Nov 1997 | A- | |||
18 Nov 1997 | A+ | |||
24 Oct 1997 | A+ | |||
6 Aug 1997 | AA- | |||
27 Jun 1996 | AA- | |||
3 May 1995 | AA- | |||
9 Nov 1994 | A+ | |||
9 Jun 1994 | A+ | |||
4 Apr 1990 | A1 | |||
26 Jun 1989 | A+ | |||
1 Oct 1988 | A+ | |||
18 Nov 1986 | A2 |