Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Surges at Seoul Market Open
The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Korean won at the start of trading on February 20, 2026, opening at 1,451 won per dollar. This represents a sharp increase of 5.5 won compared to the previous session’s closing level.3031
Risk Aversion Fuels Dollar Strength
Market participants point to heightened risk aversion as the primary driver behind the rise. Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran have dampened appetite for riskier assets, bolstering demand for the dollar as a safe-haven currency.3120
Traders in Seoul’s foreign exchange market observed the shift early in the session, with the USD/KRW pair reflecting broader global uncertainty. Analysts anticipate continued volatility as geopolitical developments unfold.
