Won-dollar rate nears 1,500 won during trading

May 13, 2026, 11:29 am

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The won-dollar exchange rate is displayed on an electronic board at the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in central Seoul. / Reporter Park Sung-il

South Korea’s won-dollar exchange rate approached the key 1,500 won level during intraday trading on Wednesday amid expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer.

According to the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar rate climbed to as high as 1,499.9 won during the morning session before trading at 1,496.9 won as of 11:10 a.m.

The exchange rate opened at 1,493.8 won, up 3.9 won from the previous session.

Market analysts said the rise followed stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data released on May 12, which reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve would maintain its benchmark interest rate for an extended period.

The annual U.S. consumer price index (CPI) increased 3.8% in April from a year earlier, adding pressure on emerging-market currencies including the Korean won.

#won-dollar exchange rate #South Korean won #US dollar #Federal Reserve #CPI