The South Korean won slipped to around 1,472 per dollar, approaching seven-month lows, as persistent capital outflows were driven by domestic investors increasing overseas equity holdings. The currency has fallen roughly 5% against the dollar this quarter, approaching a 16-year low, highlighting ongoing pressures on the FX market. Investor caution heightened as import prices rose at the fastest pace in 19 months in November by 2.6% month-on-month, up from 1.9% in October, reflecting the impact of the weaker won on import costs. Amid these conditions, Kim Jong-hwa, a central bank board member, warned that exporters without adequate currency hedges and smaller businesses unable to pass on higher import costs face significant challenges. Separately, concern was tempered as the Ministry of Economy and Finance reported a recovering economy, with the monthly Green Book noting three months of improvement in consumption and exports.
