(LEAD) S. Korean currency rises further on hopes for U.S.-Iran talks

▲ This Reuters file photo shows a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman's Musandam Governorate, on April 12, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Korean currency-volatility

(LEAD) S. Korean currency rises further on hopes for U.S.-Iran talks

(ATTN: UPDATES paras 2, 7-8)

SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at the resumption of peace talks with Iran this week.

The won closed at 1,474.2 per dollar, up 7 won from the previous session's close, extending the winning streak to the second consecutive session.

The gain came as Trump said Tuesday (U.S. time) that talks with Iran could resume "over the next two days" in Pakistan, according to foreign media reports.

The two sides failed to reach any agreement in their first round of peace talks held over the weekend in Islamabad, and Washington subsequently imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire next week.

The Korean won has shown heightened volatility in recent sessions as the conflict, which began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has pushed up global oil prices, fueling concerns over inflation and a potential economic slowdown.

Higher oil prices have pressured the won by increasing demand for dollars for crude imports, as South Korea relies heavily on imports for energy.

The dollar index, which measures the value of the U.S. dollar against a basket of six major currencies, rose 0.03 percent to 98.15.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 2.07 percent from the previous session to 6,091.39 on Wednesday.

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