Particle.news
Download on the App Store
13 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Won Hits Four-Month Low as Korea Stocks Slide on U.S. Deal Jitters

Trump's 'up front' comment on the $350 billion investment stoked doubts over stalled talks.

This photo, unrelated to this article, shows South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol (R) at the Korea investment summit held at the New York Stock Exchange on Sept. 25, 2025. (Yonhap)
A South Korea won note is seen in this illustration photo May 31, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/Illustration/File Photo
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pauses as he answers a reporter's question during an interview with Reuters at the Presidential Office in Seoul, South Korea, September 19, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo
This photo shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Sept. 25, 2025. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • South Korea’s KOSPI fell 2.45% to close at 3,386.05, slipping below 3,400 for the first time in 10 sessions as risk sentiment weakened.
  • The won weakened to 1,412.4 per dollar at 3:30 p.m. local time after touching around 1,410 in morning trade, marking its softest levels in months.
  • Foreign investors sold a net 661.1 billion won of shares and institutions offloaded 489 billion won, reversing a key source of support for Korean assets.
  • Analysts cited reduced odds of near‑term Federal Reserve rate cuts after Jerome Powell flagged “fairly highly valued” equities, adding pressure on Korean markets.
  • Seoul is pushing for a U.S. dollar swap line after meetings with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, while KB Securities estimates the U.S. investment demand could create $100–120 billion in annual dollar needs and weigh further on the won.