The Korean Won/US Dollar Exchange Rate has surpassed 1480 Korean Won... Affected by the weak Yen, the Korean Won has also experienced fluctuations.

The exchange rate of the Korean won against the US dollar has once again exceeded 1480 won after about 8 months. This is considered a result of the recent weakness of the yen affecting the value of the won.

On December 22, the exchange rate of the Korean won against the US dollar in the Seoul foreign exchange market closed at 1480.1 won, an increase of 3.8 won compared to the previous trading day. This is the highest level since reaching a year-to-date high of 1484.1 won on April 9 of this year. The exchange rate opened at 1476.6 won that day and gradually showed an upward trend, rising to 1481.5 won in the afternoon and continuing to strengthen.

The background for the rise in the Exchange Rate is the weakness of the yen. Recently, the yen to USD Exchange Rate in the New York Forex market rose to the mid-range of 157 yen, with the yen continuing to weaken, and the Korean won also being pressured to weaken. On that day, the cross Exchange Rate of the Korean won to the yen (the rate at which the Korean won and yen are exchanged directly in the forex market) was 940.79 won for every 100 yen, down 5.8 won from the previous trading day. This indicates that the weakness of the Japanese currency is also affecting the conversion value of the won.

The authorities are closely monitoring the widening volatility in the foreign exchange market and have stated that they will continue to take market stabilization measures if necessary. Although the financial markets have observed temporary stabilization trends reflecting the authorities' intentions, the lack of a clear direction among major global currencies has led the market atmosphere to focus more on medium- to long-term variables.

On the other hand, in the stock market, foreign investors net bought stocks worth 10.977 trillion won on the Korea Stock Exchange, resulting in a massive inflow of funds. As a result, the KOSPI rose by 2.12%, closing at 4105.93 points; the KOSDAQ index also increased by 1.52%, closing at 929.14 points. Although the buying by foreign investors is a factor contributing to the strengthening of the won, the Exchange Rate continues to rise, with analysts suggesting that this is due to a combination of multiple factors, including the dollar demand from export companies and the international monetary environment.

This trend of a strengthening Exchange Rate may continue for some time due to external factors such as the interest rate differential between Japan and the U.S., monetary policies of various countries, and global investment sentiment. In particular, whether the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at the beginning of next year and changes in Japan's monetary policy may impact the entire Asian foreign exchange market, and it is expected that the volatility of the Korean won's Exchange Rate will also be difficult to easily calm down.