Won closes at 1,343.6 per dollar, down 0.4 won
In short
The won closed at 1,343.6 per dollar on Oct. 6, down 0.4 won from the previous session, according to the 15:30 reference rate reported by Yonhap, Chosun Ilbo and Newsis. In morning trading the rate stood at 1,344 won, down 6.6 won (0.48%) from the prior close. Newsis reported that dollar selling by semiconductor companies offset broad global dollar strength, which it attributed to eurozone fiscal concerns.
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The won closed at 1,343.6 per dollar on Oct. 6, down 0.4 won from the previous session, according to the 15:30 reference rate cited by Yonhap and reported in flash headlines by Chosun Ilbo, Newsis and Asia Economy. Yonhap's official foreign-exchange listing for the 15:30 base rate carried the same figure. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Earlier in the day, Chosun Ilbo reported that the rate stood at 1,344 won at 09:00 on Oct. 6, down 6.6 won, or 0.48%, from the previous close, and said the rate was expected to trade in the mid-1,340s. The outlet attributed that expectation to continued dollar selling by major Korean exporters even as the dollar showed strength. [ 1 ]
Newsis, in its closing report, said the dollar index stood at 102.27 at 15:30, up from 102.17 the previous session, describing the dollar as strong on eurozone fiscal concerns — a negative backdrop for the won, which it called a risk-sensitive currency. Against that, Newsis said dollar selling by semiconductor companies pushed the rate to a slightly lower close, while importer purchases for mid-month settlement and dollar demand tied to residents' overseas stock investment kept upward pressure on the rate. Yen caution also limited gains, and Woori Bank researcher Min Kyung-won told the outlet that if the yen-dollar rate turns lower, Japanese intervention caution could lead the won to strengthen in sympathy. [ 7 ]
Why it matters
The won's level matters for Korean exporters and importers, and the documents point to two opposing forces still in play: dollar demand from importers settling mid-month and from residents investing in overseas stocks, against selling by chipmakers. Newsis, citing a Woori Bank researcher, said the yen's direction and Japanese intervention caution could pull the won stronger in sympathy, leaving the near-term path unsettled.
Key facts
- The won closed at 1,343.6 per dollar on Oct. 6, down 0.4 won from the previous session, on a 15:30 reference rate basis. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- At 09:00 the rate was 1,344 won, down 6.6 won, or 0.48%, from the previous close. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reported expectations that the rate would trade in the mid-1,340s during the day. [ 1 ]
- The dollar index stood at 102.27 at 15:30, up from 102.17 the previous session. [ 7 ]
- Newsis reported that semiconductor companies' dollar selling pushed the rate slightly lower despite global dollar strength. [ 7 ]
- Newsis said importer demand for mid-month settlement and dollar demand from residents' overseas equity investment could add upward pressure on the rate. [ 7 ]
- Woori Bank researcher Min Kyung-won said that if the yen-dollar rate turns lower, Japanese intervention caution could lead the won to strengthen in sympathy. [ 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Why the won moved the way it did. Only Newsis (document 7) gives drivers — chipmaker dollar selling, importer settlement demand, overseas equity investment and yen caution — and no other document corroborates them.
- Whether the morning expectation of mid-1,340s trading was met. The forecast appears only in Chosun Ilbo's morning report (document 1) and is not revisited by that outlet later.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The won-dollar rate stands at 1,344 won, down 6.6 won, or 0.48%, from the previous close; Chosun Ilbo reports expectations of mid-1,340s trading. [ 1 ]
- The won-dollar rate is 1,343.6 won, down 0.4 won from the previous session. [ 2 , 3 , 6 ]
- The dollar index is 102.27, up from 102.17 the previous session. [ 7 ]