(LEAD) S. Korean currency falls on Trump's hard-line stance against Iran

▲ A customer exchanges currency at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on April 1, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Korean currency-volatility

(LEAD) S. Korean currency falls on Trump's hard-line stance against Iran

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SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar Thursday, following a sharp gain in the previous session, as U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to continue military operations against Iran, dampening hopes for an end to the monthlong conflict.

The won was quoted at 1,519.7 per dollar, down 18.4 won from the previous session.

The won's weakening came after Trump said in a prime-time address earlier in the day that the United States would hit Iran "extremely hard over the next two to three weeks" and "bring them back to the Stone Age," without presenting a timeline for a ceasefire or an end to the war that began in late February.

Trump also renewed his call for countries that rely on the Strait of Hormuz for energy imports to "take care of" the key waterway, which has effectively been shut since the conflict began.

The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six major peers, climbed back above the 100 level for the first time in two days Thursday.

Global oil prices, which had fallen the previous day on hopes for an end to the conflict, also rebounded amid worsening supply concerns.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 244.65 points, or 4.47 percent, to 5,234.05.

"Contrary to expectations for a ceasefire, markets interpreted Trump's remarks as reaffirming a hard-line stance toward Iran and a willingness to continue the war," Lee Kyung-min of Daishin Securities said. "Market volatility is expected to remain high for the time being."

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