Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Hits Lowest Level of the Year for 4 Consecutive Sessions... Low 1,320 Won Range

As expectations for a falling exchange rate persist amid strong semiconductor exports, the won-dollar exchange rate broke its lowest level of the year for the fourth consecutive session today (the 21st).

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the closing rate for the won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m. was tallied at 1,325.2 won, down 2.9 won from the previous trading day.

The exchange rate started trading at 1,325.5 won and dropped to 1,322.8 won around 9:01 a.m., fueled by news of strong exports delivered around 9:00 a.m.

Afterwards, it raised its high to 1,329.3 won before moving consistently in the mid-1,320 won range.

Both the 3:30 p.m. closing rate and the intraday low mark the lowest levels since October 2, 2024 (1,319.3 won and 1,317.1 won, respectively).

The Korea Customs Service announced that exports (provisional customs-based figures) for the first 20 days of this month reached $61.6 billion, a 105.4% increase compared to the same period last year.

The domestic stock market rebounded, and foreign investors also returned to a net buying trend for a change.

The KOSPI expanded its gains during the morning session, triggering a buy-side sidecar, before narrowing its gains in the afternoon and closing up 3.29% at 5,735.66.

Foreign investors net-purchased approximately 660 billion won worth of shares in the domestic stock market.

The dollar index, which measures the value of the dollar against currencies of six major countries, stood at 101.798, up 0.097 from the previous day.

The cross rate for the won per 100 Japanese yen was 837.81 won, down 2.39 won from the previous trading day.

The won-yen cross rate also fell to an intraday low of 835.81 won today, breaking its lowest level of the year for the second consecutive session.

This marks the lowest level since January 2, 2008 (833.4 won).

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.