Won Crumbles to 17-Year Low Near 1,550 as Foreign Capital Exodus Intensifies
Won Crumbles to 17-Year Low Near 1,550 as Foreign Capital Exodus Intensifies 2026-06-06 | By DailyPro2025 Analysis Team Table of Contents Foreign Selling Tsunami: The Primary Engine of Won Weakness The Vicious Cycle: Weaker Won Fuels More Selling Government Intervention Fails: Verbal Warnings Meet Market Indifference Middle East War and the Won's Geopolitical Risk Premium SpaceX IPO: A $132 Billion Drain on Emerging Markets Won Outlook: Navigating the 1,500-1,600 Range My Take The South Korean won fell to its weakest level in 17 years on Friday, with USD/KRW closing at 1,539.1 after rising 9.4 won from the previous session. Intraday, the currency touched 1,549.1 — the highest since March 9, 2009, when the global financial crisis pushed the rate to 1,549.0. At Incheon International Airport, the USD cash buying rate briefly breached 1,600 won, hitting ordinary Koreans who travel or study abroad. The won has now remained above the 1,500 threshold for 14 consecutive tr...