South Korea has launched 24-hour foreign exchange trading to boost market competitiveness and improve access to the won, though the currency saw no immediate impact. In a separate development, the nation's average annual working hours fell by 32 hours in 2025 to 1,833, still surpassing the OECD average by 97 hours. The government has set a goal to reduce working hours to 1,700 by 2030.
South Korea has initiated 24-hour foreign exchange trading, a move designed to bolster its financial market's competitiveness and provide investors with greater access to the South Korean won. The launch of this extended trading window did not result in any significant immediate fluctuations in the currency's value. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance South Korea's standing in global financial markets.
In parallel, South Korea has seen a reduction in its average annual working hours. In 2025, these hours decreased by 32, bringing the total to 1,833 hours. Despite this decrease, the average remains higher than the average for member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), exceeding it by 97 hours. The South Korean government has established a target to further reduce annual working hours to 1,700 by the year 2030, indicating a policy direction towards work-life balance improvements.
The push for 24-hour FX trading aims to align South Korea's market with global standards and attract more foreign investment by offering continuous trading opportunities. The reduction in working hours reflects ongoing efforts to address concerns about long working hours, which have historically been a characteristic of the South Korean economy and are often cited as a factor impacting productivity and employee well-being. The government's stated goal of 1,700 working hours by 2030 signifies a significant long-term objective for labor policy.
South Korea has initiated 24-hour foreign exchange trading, a move designed to bolster its financial market's competitiveness and provide investors with greater access to the South Korean won. The launch of this extended trading window did not result in any significant immediate fluctuations in the currency's value. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance South Korea's standing in global financial markets.