On the 19th, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,474 won, up slightly from the close on the 16th.
As of 9:10 a.m. that day in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate was 1,474.4 won. The rate opened at 1,474 won, up 0.4 won from the previous trading day (on the 16th) weekly transaction close (as of 3:30 p.m.) of 1,473.6 won, and it has been widening its early-session gains.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose a 10% U.S.-bound tariff starting next month and 25% from June on eight European countries that oppose the U.S. plan to annex Greenland, boosting the dollar. The eight countries to be tariffed are Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, which have dispatched troops to Greenland or expressed an intention to do so.
According to Investing.com, the U.S. dollar index (DXY), which shows the value of the dollar against the six major currencies, reached 99.16 as of 9:28 a.m. that day, moving close to 100. When this figure exceeds 100, it indicates the dollar is strong against major currencies; when it falls below, it indicates weakness.
Min Kyung-won, a Woori Bank researcher, said, "The exchange rate is expected to rise today," adding, "Amid the weekend territorial dispute over Greenland, the United States mentioned reciprocal tariff increases and trade retaliation, which is likely to dampen risk appetite for assets such as the won."