2024 RT Amination Banner.gif

China Daily

News> Business> Content
Published: 11:14, June 23, 2022 | Updated: 11:16, June 23, 2022
S. Korean won breaches 1,300-mark for first time in 13 years
By Reuters
Published:11:14, June 23, 2022 Updated:11:16, June 23, 2022 By Reuters

A currency dealer walks past screens showing South Korea's benchmark stock index (left) and the Korean won/USD exchange rate (right) in a trading room at Hana Bank in Seoul on March 7, 2022. (JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)

SEOUL - South Korea's won fell below the psychological threshold of 1,300 per US dollar for the first time in 13 years, amid global economic recession worries and the dollar's strength, but traders said market sentiment was relatively calm.

The won weakened as much as 0.42 percent in onshore spot trade on Thursday to touch the lowest since July 14, 2009, at 1,302.8 per dollar.

The 1,300-mark, a level seen during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis and 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, has been considered for years as a sign of major economic risks

The 1,300-mark, a level seen during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis and 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, has been considered for years as a sign of major economic risks.

However, domestic foreign exchange dealers said it was different this time, as changing supply-demand landscapes in recent years, such as increasing overseas investment, should also be a factor influencing the price in addition to the dollar's strength at two-decade highs.

The won has weakened more than 8 percent this year, following an 8.6 percent drop in 2021 that was the fastest annual fall since 2008.

ALSO READ: S. Korea central bank chief says big-step rate hikes a possibility

Last year, South Korea's National Pension Service increased its holdings of overseas stocks and bonds by 82.9 trillion won ($63.85 billion), or 35 percent, in line with its long-term plan to boost overseas investment for the fund's profitability and sustainability.

The won has weakened more than 8 percent this year, following an 8.6 percent drop in 2021 that was the fastest annual fall since 2008

Retail investors also purchased a net $21.9 billion worth of overseas stocks in 2021, after $19.7 billion in 2020 on increased interest in stock investment. They have bought a net $12.4 billion so far this year.

Meanwhile, in the country's local stock market, foreigners have sold a net 15.9 trillion won worth of shares so far this year, following a total 50 trillion won sell-off in the previous two years.

South Korea has posted an accumulative $7.83 billion trade deficit from January until May this year, and if the trend continues, Asia's fourth largest economy will log the first annual deficit since 2008.

READ MORE: S.Korea raises interest rate to 1.50% to tackle inflation

"The market atmosphere is very calm and definitely different from the past," an FX dealer said. "It is just another number now, and there is no signal felt of any risk at all."

Share this story

CHINA DAILY
HONG KONG NEWS
OPEN
Please click in the upper right corner to open it in your browser !