{
  "id": 1880803,
  "title": "Won Falls Below 1,400 Per Dollar for First Time in 10.5 Months",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/won-falls-below-1-400-per-dollar-for-first-time-in-10-5-months",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-19T06:54:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BusinessKorea",
    "slug": "businesskorea",
    "url": "https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=275071"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The South Korean won has broken below the 1,400-per-dollar mark for the first time in about 10.5 months, reaching 1,399.0 won against the dollar as of 12:02 p.m. in Seoul. This marks the lowest exchange rate for the currency since October of the previous year. The won has gained more than 160 won from its June 6 peak of 1,561.5 won, the strongest dollar level in 17 years.\n\nThe decline in the dollar was driven by weaker-than-expected U.S. inflation data and a drop in retail sales, which raised expectations that the Federal Reserve might ease its monetary policy. These factors have put downward pressure on the dollar and supported the won. Foreign-exchange supply and demand changes have also contributed to the won's gains.\n\nThe Federal Reserve's interest-rate futures markets now price a 31% probability of a 25-basis-point rate hike at the upcoming September Federal Open Market Committee meeting. Weaker U.S. inflation data, declining retail sales, and expectations for a possible Fed rate cut have all supported the won. However, analysts caution that the recent move may not signal the start of a sustained won appreciation. U.S. inflation remains above the Fed's target, and a rebound in employment or another rise in global oil prices could alter the outlook. Geopolitical risks and energy-price uncertainty could also limit the won's gains.",
  "summary": "The South Korean won strengthened past the 1,400-per-dollar level on Aug. 19, marking its first move into the 1,300 range in about 10.5 months.The dollar fell to 1,399.0 won against the Korean currency as of 12:02 p.m. in Seoul, the first time the exchange rate had fallen below 1,400 since Oct. 2 la",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean won falls below 1,400 per dollar for first time in 10.5 months",
    "Exchange rate reaches 1,399.0 won against dollar as of Seoul time",
    "Decline driven by weaker U.S. inflation data and lower retail sales"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The won's recent gains, driven by US economic data and Fed policy expectations, may not signal a sustained appreciation due to ongoing inflation, employment, and geopolitical uncertainties.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}