The South Korean won rose to around 1,470 per dollar, pausing losses after hitting a two-week low, supported by signals of net inflows of foreign currency. South Korea reported its largest-ever annual current account surplus in 2025. The surplus reached US$123.05 billion, exceeding both the previous record of $105.1 billion set in 2015 and the central bank’s forecast of $115 billion. Strong exports, particularly amid a semiconductor upcycle, further reinforced investor confidence. Further bolstering sentiment, the government successfully issued $3 billion in overseas foreign exchange stabilization bonds, the largest single issuance since 2009. The offering, split into three- and five-year tranches, was tightly priced, signaling strong demand and bolstering confidence in South Korea’s external finances. While primarily aimed at strengthening foreign-exchange reserves, the bond sale helped ease near-term pressure on the currency.
