The South Korean won weakened to around 1,480 per dollar, sliding for the third straight session, as fresh trade tensions and elevated oil prices weighed on sentiment. The United States launched a Section 301 investigation into several major economies, including South Korea, China, and Japan, to examine alleged unfair trade practices tied to excess manufacturing capacity. The probe could lead to new tariffs or trade restrictions on export-heavy sectors such as electronics, autos, machinery, steel, and shipbuilding, raising concerns about South Korea’s export outlook and trade surplus. Caution also lingered over volatile energy markets as the Middle East conflict continued to disrupt shipping near the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, authorities have also sought to stabilize supply through a coordinated emergency oil release led by the International Energy Agency, with contributions from the United States and South Korea.
