The won-dollar exchange rate against the U.S. dollar closed at 1,440.2 won on the 12th. It fell 9.9 won from the previous day. With this, the won-dollar exchange rate declined for four straight days.
The won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,448.6 won on the day, down 1.5 won from the previous day. It then widened its decline ahead of the close of weekly transaction (9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.). This downward trend in the won-dollar exchange rate appears to have been influenced by foreigners' net buying of domestic stocks.
Foreign investors bought 3.0138 trillion won worth of shares on the Korea Exchange. When foreigners buy domestic stocks like this, demand for the won increases. At such times, the won-dollar exchange rate tends to fall. Thanks to this, the KOSPI index closed at 5,522.27 points, marking a record high.
It is also interpreted that the Japanese yen's strength influenced the decline in the won-dollar exchange rate. According to local media on the day, Mimura Atsushi, Vice Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Finance in charge of Japan's currency policy, met with reporters and said, "We will continue to closely monitor the market and maintain close communication with the market." He added, "We have not let our guard down at all." The remarks are seen as inducing yen strength.