On the 23rd, the won-dollar exchange rate against the U.S. dollar finished transaction at 1,465.8 won, down 4.1 won from the previous day. With this, the won-dollar exchange rate closed lower for the third straight day.
The day's decline in the won-dollar exchange rate is seen as being influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump appearing to step back from purchasing Greenland. Visiting Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 22 local time, Trump said in an interview with Fox Business that the United States is negotiating with Europe to secure "total access" to Greenland.
The meaning of total access is not exactly known. However, it is read as an intention not to buy but to secure a de facto quasi-sovereign right that would allow the United States to deploy as much military power and related facilities as it wants.
The won-dollar exchange rate has closed lower in succession from the 21st, when President Lee Jae-myung issued remarks amounting to verbal intervention, through the day. At a New Year's press conference held at the Blue House state guesthouse at the time, Lee said, "According to the responsible authorities, the won-dollar exchange rate is expected to fall to around 1,400 won in a month or two." That day, the won-dollar exchange rate fell 6.8 won to close at 1,471.3 won.
Kim Ye-seul, a researcher at IBK Securities, said, "The fundamental driver that stabilizes the won-dollar exchange rate in a trend is not simply narrowing the interest rate gap or adjusting (foreign currency) supply and demand, but quickly correcting the widening gap in economic growth rates (with the United States)."