The U.S. Federal Reserve's hawkish decision to hold interest rates steady has strengthened the case for the Bank of Korea (BOK) to raise its benchmark rate as early as next month, as stronger-than-expected growth and persistent inflation reinforce the need for further monetary tightening, analysts said Thursday. The Fed kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.75 to 4 percent on Wednesday (local time), but signaled that inflation remains elevated and reaffirmed its commitment to bringing inflation back to its 2 percent target. The decision has kept markets focused on the possibility of another Fed rate hike in December, raising the prospect that the BOK could pursue further tightening before its U.S. counterpart makes its next move. The BOK held its benchmark rate at 3 percent at its rate-setting meeting last Thursday, saying it needed more time to assess domestic and external economic conditions and the effects of two previous rate hikes. Recent economic data have strengthened the case for further tightening. Korea's real gross domestic product grew 1 percent in the third quarter