The South Korean won strengthens to a near two-year high against the U.S. dollar on Monday, helped by heavier dollar sales from local exporters and a weaker oil-price backdrop. Multiple outlets report the won trades around the 1,335 won-per-dollar area by late afternoon, after strengthening earlier in the session.
Reports differ slightly on the size and intraday peak of the move but agree on the main drivers. The won reaches roughly 1,331–1,333 won per dollar at its strongest points during afternoon trading, with one outlet citing the move as the tightest level since early October 2024. Bloomberg attributes the gains to both lower oil prices and heavy dollar selling by local companies, while Yonhap and Korea Times point to exporters—especially semiconductor firms—converting dollar earnings into won. Korea Times also adds equity-market context, noting foreign investors sell a net amount of local shares as the benchmark index declines, which frames risk sentiment alongside currency movement. Other outlets mention the market reopening after a three-day holiday as trading resumes.
