South Korean Won Strengthens Toward 2024 High as Semiconductor Exports Drive Dollar Selling

The South Korean won is trading around 1,338 per dollar, approaching its strongest level since October 2024 as persistent dollar selling from semiconductor exporters strengthens demand for the Korean currency.

Thin holiday liquidity is amplifying the impact of corporate dollar flows, allowing the exchange rate to move toward the mid-to-high 1,330s. The won is also benefiting from an exceptionally strong external trade position, with September exports reaching a record level and semiconductor shipments surging.

The dollar’s softer tone is providing an additional tailwind as expectations for near-term Federal Reserve tightening have eased following softer US employment and inflation data. However, elevated US Treasury yields remain an important obstacle to a sustained won rally.

Currency Snapshot

USD/KRW Price Action

USD/KRW is trading close to a major multi-month low as strong corporate dollar selling pushes the exchange rate toward 1,338.

The move is particularly significant because the won is approaching its strongest level since October 2024.

The immediate price action is being amplified by thin holiday liquidity. When market participation is reduced, relatively large corporate flows can have a greater impact on the exchange rate.

Semiconductor exporters are currently generating substantial dollar receipts, creating a natural source of dollar selling and won demand.

Semiconductor Exports Provide Major Support

The strongest fundamental driver of the won is South Korea’s semiconductor export performance.

September semiconductor shipments surged 262.8% year-on-year, contributing to a record monthly export figure of $120.9 billion.

This is important for the currency because strong exports generate substantial foreign-currency receipts that can subsequently be converted into won.

The scale of the semiconductor improvement also reinforces the view that South Korea’s external position is benefiting from powerful demand for advanced technology products.

If semiconductor exports remain strong, exporters could continue providing structural support for the won.

Record Trade Surplus Strengthens the External Position

South Korea’s trade surplus expanded to a record $49.85 billion.

A large trade surplus generally provides a supportive backdrop for a currency because export revenues exceed import payments, increasing the supply of foreign currency entering the domestic economy.

The combination of record exports and a record trade surplus therefore provides the won with a much stronger fundamental foundation than exchange-rate movements alone might suggest.

This is particularly important if the improvement proves persistent rather than being driven by a temporary spike in semiconductor shipments.

Dollar Weakness Supports the Won

The won is also benefiting from a softer US dollar.

Expectations for near-term Federal Reserve tightening have declined following softer US employment and inflation data.

A less hawkish Federal Reserve can reduce the relative attractiveness of dollar assets and encourage capital flows toward higher-beta currencies such as the won.

If US economic data continue to soften without triggering a major deterioration in global risk sentiment, this could provide additional support for USD/KRW to move lower.

US Treasury Yields Remain a Headwind

The major counterweight is the US Treasury market.

The US 10-year Treasury yield remains around 5.28%, after recently reaching its highest level since 2002.

Elevated US yields make dollar-denominated assets attractive and can encourage investors to maintain exposure to the US currency.

This limits the extent to which the won can strengthen purely on export fundamentals.

A more sustained USD/KRW decline would therefore become more likely if US Treasury yields begin falling alongside softer Federal Reserve expectations.

Bullish Won Scenario

The won could strengthen further if:

• Semiconductor exports remain exceptionally strong.
• Corporate dollar selling continues.
• South Korea maintains large trade surpluses.
• The US dollar weakens further.
• US inflation continues moderating.
• Federal Reserve easing expectations increase.
• US Treasury yields decline.
• Global risk appetite remains favourable.

A sustained move below the current 1,330s region would strengthen the technical case for a broader KRW recovery.

Bearish Won Scenario

The won could lose momentum if:

• US Treasury yields remain elevated.
• US economic data reaccelerate.
• Federal Reserve easing expectations are reduced.
• The US dollar regains broad strength.
• Semiconductor export growth slows.
• Global risk sentiment deteriorates.
• Foreign investors reduce exposure to Korean assets.

A renewed move higher in USD/KRW would indicate that the yield advantage of the dollar is once again overpowering Korea’s strong external trade fundamentals.

USD/KRW Outlook

The near-term outlook remains constructive for the won.

The combination of record exports, a record trade surplus and heavy dollar selling from semiconductor companies provides a powerful fundamental backdrop.

However, USD/KRW is approaching an important longer-term area around the levels last seen in late 2024. This could encourage profit-taking from existing won positions.

The next major directional signal is likely to come from the interaction between US Treasury yields and Korean export flows.

If US yields decline while semiconductor exports remain strong, USD/KRW could continue moving lower.

South Korean Export Outlook

The export outlook remains one of the most important pillars supporting the won.

Semiconductor shipments are growing at an exceptional pace, helping push total exports to a record monthly level.

The key issue now is sustainability.

If global demand for semiconductors remains strong and South Korean technology exports continue expanding, the country’s external balance could remain sufficiently strong to provide ongoing currency support.

A slowdown in the semiconductor cycle would represent the most significant fundamental risk to this outlook.

Dollar and Interest-Rate Outlook

The dollar’s direction will remain equally important.

The Federal Reserve does not need to begin cutting rates immediately for the dollar to weaken. A sustained reduction in expectations for future tightening can be enough to reduce the relative attractiveness of US assets.

However, the 5.28% US 10-year yield demonstrates that financial conditions remain tight.

A decline in Treasury yields would remove one of the largest obstacles to further won appreciation.

Louis Roche Analysis

The South Korean won currently has one of the strongest fundamental stories among Asian currencies.

The combination of record exports, a record trade surplus and extraordinary semiconductor growth is creating a substantial source of natural dollar selling.

The move toward 1,338 USD/KRW is therefore not simply a speculative currency rally. There is a genuine improvement in South Korea’s external position behind the move.

The important question is whether the US yield environment allows that strength to continue.

With the 10-year Treasury yield still around 5.28%, the dollar retains a significant yield advantage. This explains why the won has not strengthened even further despite exceptionally strong Korean export data.

In my view, the next major catalyst is likely to come from the US bond market. If Treasury yields begin to decline while semiconductor exports remain strong, the combination could produce a more significant structural move lower in USD/KRW.

For now, the 1,330s represent an important area for the won, with the balance of risks favouring further strength but the potential for increased volatility as the exchange rate approaches its strongest levels in roughly two years.

Coming Sessions

Markets will focus on:

• South Korean semiconductor export momentum.
• Corporate dollar-selling flows.
• US Treasury yields.
• Federal Reserve expectations.
• Upcoming US employment and inflation data.
• South Korean trade and external-balance data.
• Global technology demand.
• Foreign investment flows into Korean assets.
• USD/KRW behaviour around the 1,330 area.

Currency Hedger View

Currency Hedger sees the current won strength as being supported by a rare combination of powerful export fundamentals and a softer US dollar.

For Korean businesses receiving export revenues in US dollars, the current environment can increase the importance of managing conversion levels as USD/KRW moves toward multi-year lows.

The key risk for the won is a renewed rise in US Treasury yields. Conversely, falling US yields combined with continued semiconductor export strength could create a more persistent downward trend in USD/KRW.

Businesses with USD/KRW exposure should therefore monitor both Korean trade flows and US interest-rate expectations, as the two markets are increasingly driving the currency in opposite directions.

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Contributor: Louis Roche – Currency Hedger

Disclaimer: Market analysis prepared for Currency Hedger. For informational purposes only and not intended as investment, trading, financial or currency advice.

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