▲ The won-dollar exchange rate and KOSPI index are displayed at the dealing room of Hana Bank's headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 10th.
The won-dollar exchange rate opened more than 10 won lower on June 12, driven by expectations of an end to the conflict between the United States and Iran.
In the Seoul foreign exchange market today, the won-dollar exchange rate started at 1,518.0 won, down 10.9 won from the previous day's closing price of 1,528.9 won.
This marks the lowest opening level since June 2, when it stood at 1,512 won.
After the market opened, the exchange rate climbed slightly to 1,522.4 won before retreating, and is currently fluctuating in the low 1,520 won range.
As the possibility of an end to the U.S.-Iran conflict has re-emerged, risk-on sentiment has revived, putting upward pressure on the Korean won.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously warned of airstrikes on Iran for three consecutive days, stated on Truth Social, "I have canceled the airstrikes and bombings against Iran that were scheduled for this evening."
Later, while meeting with reporters at the White House, he said that peace negotiations with Iran are in the final stages of document coordination and that a signing ceremony could be held in Europe this weekend.
As of 9:09 a.m., the dollar index, which measures the value of the dollar against six major currencies, stood at 99.765, down 0.23 from the reference rate at 3:30 p.m. the previous day.
If export companies actively sell their dollar holdings due to expectations of a U.S.-Iran agreement, the downward trend in the exchange rate could accelerate.
The previous day, Second Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Heo Jang and Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Shin-hak held a meeting with export companies, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and requested that they convert export proceeds immediately and make efforts to bring overseas retained earnings back into the country.
However, foreign investors, who are reducing their holdings of domestic stocks ahead of the end of the half-year, may put a brake on the speed of the exchange rate's decline.
In the domestic KOSPI market, foreign investors, who had sold stocks for 24 consecutive trading days through yesterday, are continuing their net selling trend today, with a net sale of 143.1 billion won.
As of 9:09 a.m., the won-yen cross rate was 949.24 won per 100 yen, down 2.87 won from the reference rate at 3:30 p.m. the previous day, while the yen-dollar exchange rate fell 0.40 yen to 160.169 yen.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.