{
  "id": 12572433,
  "title": "Korean won hits 18-year high against Japanese yen on booming chip exports",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/korean-won-hits-18-year-high-against-japanese-yen-on-booming-chip",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-07T07:27:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/20261007/korean-won-hits-18-year-high-against-japanese-yen-on-booming-chip-exports"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The South Korean won has reached an 18-year high against the Japanese yen due to a surge in semiconductor exports, according to analysts. The exchange rate dropped to as low as 844.16 won per 100 yen, the lowest level since January 2008, when it was at 837.58 won. Prior to this, the rate had been fluctuating between 930 and 950 won per 100 yen since early July, but it has plummeted sharply over the past three months. The yen, however, is not directly traded in Seoul's foreign exchange market. Instead, banks determine the won-yen rate by calculating each currency's value against the U.S. dollar. Notably, the won and the yen have recently moved in opposite directions, a rare occurrence given their usually close relationship, as explained by Ashok Bhundia, deputy chief economist at the Institute of International Finance. The main factor behind the Korean won's strength appears to be its booming semiconductor exports.",
  "summary": "A boom in Korea's semiconductor exports has strengthened the won, pushing it to its highest level against the Japanese yen in 18 years and 9 months, analysts said Wednesday. According to Hana Bank, the won-yen exchange rate fell as low as 844.16 won per 100 yen in intraday trading Wednesday, its lowest level since January 2008, when it stood at 837.58 won. The rate had hovered between 930 and 950…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean won hits 18-year high against Japanese yen",
    "Exchange rate drops to 844.16 won per 100 yen",
    "Booming semiconductor exports drive won's strength"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korean won hits 18-year high against Japanese yen on booming chip exports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/korean-won-hits-18-year-high-against-japanese-yen-on-booming-chip-12575869",
        "published": "2026-10-07T07:42:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}