Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
The South Korean bonds closed lower Friday, following weakness in the U.S. Treasuries. Also, equities are expected to witness a setback Monday on President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment by a majority two-third vote by the National Assembly.
The 10-year bond yield, which moves inversely to its price, closed 4 basis points lower at 2.20 percent, the yield on 20-year note jumped 4 basis points to 2.21 percent and short-term 3-year bonds yield bounced 2 basis points to 1.73 percent.
The Korean bonds have been closely following developments in the U.S. debt market. The benchmark 10-year bond witnessed a heavy sell-off, pushing yields by 5 basis points to 2.43 percent.
The Federal Reserve is expected to increase the target range of the key interest rate by 25 basis points to 0.50 percent to 0.75 percent on December 14, with a unanimous decision. Little change to the statement, though the Committee is likely to acknowledge that market-based measures of inflation compensation have risen further.
Moreover, South Korean National Assembly voted against President Park Geun-hye following months of public protests over an influence-peddling scandal.
The final vote count was 234-56. Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in the 300-member National Assembly. The prime minister, whose position in government is largely ceremonial, will become the nation’s acting president, reported WSJ.
Meanwhile, The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) ended 0.31 percent lower at 2,024.69 points.
