On the 5th, the won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,443.8 won, up 2 won.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market that day, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,443.7 won, up 1.9 won from the prior session's weekly transaction closing price (as of 3:30 p.m.) on the 2nd. It was down 1 won from the 2 a.m. closing price on the 3rd (1,444.7 won).

An opening market display board shows conditions in the dealing room at the Hana Bank headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 5th. /Courtesy of News1

After the open, the rate continued to rise and surged to 1,449.6 won at about 12:09 p.m. Geopolitical tensions escalated after Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro was abruptly arrested over the weekend and transferred to the United States, and U.S. President Donald Trump that day also raised the threat level by saying, "If Venezuela does not act appropriately, we will carry out a second strike." As a result, investment demand flowed into safe-haven assets, including the dollar.

According to Investing.com, the U.S. dollar index (DXY), which shows the dollar's value against the currencies of six major countries, was at 98.67 as of 3:43 p.m., up 0.25% from the previous day. In the wake of this, the dollar-yen (yen per dollar) was up 0.14% at 157.06 yen, and the euro-dollar (dollars per euro) was down 0.26% at $1.1690.

However, in the afternoon, as foreign buying of domestic stocks intensified, the exchange rate turned lower. It fell to 1,445.9 won at about 2:29 p.m., and came down to the 1,444-won range at 3:27 p.m., just before the close. It then fell further and ended weekly trading at 1,443.8 won. It was up 2 won from the previous day's close.

In the Korea Exchange (KOSPI) that day, foreigners posted a net purchase of stocks worth 2.1669 trillion won. Foreigners continued net purchases for six consecutive trading sessions from the 22nd of last month. In the wake of this, the KOSPI closed at 4,457.52, up 147.89 points (3.43%) from the previous session, breaking above the 4,400 level for the first time ever.

Lim Hwan-yeol of Woori Bank said, "Today the dollar strengthened and currencies of major countries all weakened," adding, "The won-dollar exchange rate also followed this trend and rose in early trading." He added, "However, in the afternoon, as foreign net buying of domestic stocks intensified and the dollar's strength eased, the exchange rate fell again."

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