Exchange Rate Turns Volatile Again... Rises for 7 Consecutive Sessions, Nears 1,460 Won (Update)

Weekly Trading Closes at 1,457.6 Won
Foreign Investors Sell Korean Stocks Amid Strong Dollar

The USD-KRW exchange rate rose for the seventh consecutive trading day, closing above the 1,450 won level for the second straight day this week. Although the rate had shown signs of stabilization, dropping to the 1,420 won range at the end of last year due to concerns over intervention by foreign exchange authorities, it has reversed course and climbed again, driven by the global strength of the US dollar and foreign investors selling domestic stocks.

On the 9th, the USD-KRW exchange rate is displayed on the status board in the Shinhan Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul. Provided by Shinhan Bank

On January 9, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the weekly closing price of the USD-KRW exchange rate (as of 3:30 p.m.) stood at 1,457.6 won, up 7.0 won from the previous trading day. The exchange rate opened at 1,453.8 won, 3.2 won higher than the previous day, and during the session, it climbed as high as 1,459.2 won, nearly reaching the 1,460 won mark.

Previously, on December 24, 2025, the USD-KRW exchange rate had risen to 1,484.9 won, but after strong intervention by the foreign exchange authorities, it fell to 1,429.8 won on December 29. However, starting from December 30, 2025, and continuing into the new year, the rate has increased for seven consecutive trading days, rising to the mid-to-high 1,450 won range.

The exchange rate was affected by foreign investors' net selling of stocks worth 1.596 trillion won in the KOSPI market on this day. The global strength of the US dollar also appears to have pushed the USD-KRW rate higher. On January 7 (local time), it was confirmed that the number of US job openings in November 2025 had dropped to its lowest level in one year and two months, increasing expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged and triggering a stronger dollar. The Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US dollar against the currencies of six major countries, stood at 98.95 in the afternoon, continuing its upward trend.

At the same time, the JPY-USD exchange rate was up 0.38%, reaching 157.38 yen.