Korea isn’t alone in facing bond pressures, as strong government spending and higher energy costs from the Iran war heighten inflationary pressures worldwide. But the squeeze is sharper in Asia’s semiconductor hub, where Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. have drawn investor capital toward equities, as well as greater volatility. Inflation had already been stoked by high apartment prices, while the won’s tumble drives fears of rising import costs and triggers further Bank of Korea rate hikes.






