Key facts
- The South Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar on Monday.
- Foreign investors sold a net 2.8 trillion won (US$1.9 billion) of local stocks.
- The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 5.12 percent.
- The won reached its strongest level since February 26 before weakening.
The South Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar on Monday, August 3, 2026, as foreign investors turned to net sellers of local stocks. The won was quoted at 1,429.8 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., a decline of 5.8 won from the previous Friday's closing price.
Earlier in the session, the won had opened at 1,437.5 won per dollar and strengthened to as high as 1,425 won, its strongest level since February 26. This gain followed confirmations from both the United States and Japan that they had intervened in foreign exchange markets, which had helped the Japanese yen to surge.
The won's subsequent slide was also attributed to a decline in oil prices, which occurred amid renewed optimism regarding potential talks between the U.S. and Iran. Foreign investors sold a net 2.8 trillion won (US$1.9 billion) worth of South Korean stocks, contributing to a 5.12 percent drop in the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, which closed at 6,257.45.