Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol told lawmakers Thursday the country's monetary policy should shift its priority next year from growth to financial stability.

Lee said interest rate policies should take into better account the increasing downside risks in the global economy.

He said the U.S. decision to raise rates will not necessarily trigger a similar move by Korea's central bank.

Lee said keeping the key rate at the current one-point-25 percent level is an extension of monetary easing that can help spur economic recovery.