Semiconductor sector weakness and foreign investor outflows pressure the KRW, pushing USD/KRW past 1350 amid limited exporter repatriation.
USD/KRW climbed above 1350 as semiconductor stock declines weighed on the Korean Won. The move follows a 6% drop in Korean chipmakers after US peers retreated, led by an industry leader on Thursday.
The KRW’s weakness stems from foreign investor profit-taking after the KOSPI surged 93% year-to-date. Limited repatriation of overseas earnings by exporters and elevated oil prices near USD100 add further pressure.
Analysts warn that continued outflows could destabilize the currency, particularly if semiconductor volatility persists.