Korean won again nears multiyear low amid increased overseas investment

▲ Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on Jan. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)

Korean currency-weakness

Korean won again nears multiyear low amid increased overseas investment

SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean currency fell further Tuesday, hovering below the level of 1,470 won per U.S. dollar shortly after recovering from a near 16-year low.

The won opened at 1,468.5 per dollar, down 0.1 won from the previous session, and dipped further to 1,472.45 won as of 9:30 a.m.

The local currency had slid to a 16-year low of around 1,480 won in mid-December and rebounded above the 1,450 won mark on Dec. 24 for the first time in about two months following a verbal intervention and policy steps by foreign exchange authorities to stabilize the market.

The won, however, has fallen for eight consecutive sessions since Dec. 30, closing at 1,468.4 won per dollar Monday.

"Demand for dollars from importers and local investors for overseas stock investments has pushed the exchange rate higher," Min Kyung-won, an analyst at Woori Bank, said.

The won's weakness has also moved in line with the depreciation of the Japanese yen, he added.

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