Won-Dollar Exchange Rate Breaks 1,500 Won in After-Hours Trading... Dollar Index Surpasses 100

by Kim Yuri

Published 13 Mar.2026 18:05(KST)

On March 13, the won-dollar exchange rate once again broke through the 1,500 won mark during after-hours trading.

On the 13th, employees are monitoring the stock market and exchange rates in the dealing room at the headquarters of Hana Bank in Seoul.

On this day, the won-dollar exchange rate closed at 1,493.7 won in the Seoul foreign exchange market, which was 12.5 won higher than the previous trading day (as of 3:30 p.m.). In after-hours trading, it reached 1,500.1 won at around 5:17 p.m. According to the Bank of Korea's Economic Statistics System (ECOS), this is the first time since March 3 (when the intraday high reached 1,506.5 won) that the exchange rate has surpassed 1,500 won during trading hours. After-hours trading typically sees lower volume and therefore greater price fluctuations.

The exchange rate has been affected by a renewed surge in international oil prices, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have intensified. Iran's new Supreme Leader, Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, has declared a hardline stance, including the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the expansion of the frontlines, pushing international oil prices above $100 per barrel. As risk aversion has strengthened, the US dollar has gained. The dollar index, which measures the value of the dollar against the currencies of six major countries, surpassed the 100 mark in the afternoon. This is the first time in about four months, since November of last year, that the dollar index has exceeded 100.