On the 15th, the won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,511.1 won per $1, down 8.7 won. On a weekly closing basis, it was the lowest in nine days since June 1 (1,504.3 won). The move came after the United States and Iran reached a deal to end the Middle East war.
In the Seoul foreign exchange market that day, the won-dollar exchange rate opened at 1,511.4 won, down 8.4 won from the previous transaction day. Right after the open, at 9:07 a.m., it fell to 1,504 won. That was also the lowest since June 1 (1,500 won). It then repeatedly rose and fell in the 1,510-won range before closing around 1,511 won.
The won's appreciation came as a deal to end the Middle East war boosted risk appetite. President Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social, "The agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all." Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also said on X that "the United States and Iran have reached a peace agreement, and an official signing ceremony is scheduled to be held in Switzerland on the 19th."
The KOSPI index closed at 8,545.98, up 422.36 points (5.20%) from the previous transaction day. Foreign investors were net buyers of domestic stocks that day, following on the 12th. Net purchases were about 1 trillion won. As large sums flowed into the Korea Exchange (KRX), a "buy sidecar" was triggered to temporarily halt buy orders in program trading for the first five minutes after the open.