SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) — The South Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at the resumption of peace talks with Iran this week.
The won opened at 1,471 per dollar, up 10.2 won from the previous session’s close.
The currency rose to its highest level in about one month Tuesday amid optimism over a potential breakthrough to end the conflict, which began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and has escalated into a broader regional war.
Trump said Tuesday (U.S. time) that talks with Iran could resume “over the next two days” in Pakistan, according to foreign media reports.
The two sides failed to reach any agreement in their first round of peace talks held over the weekend in Islamabad, and Washington subsequently imposed a blockade on Iranian ports. A two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire next week.
The Korean won has shown heightened volatility in recent sessions as the ongoing crisis has pushed up global oil prices, fueling concerns over inflation and a potential economic slowdown.
Higher oil prices have pressured the won by increasing demand for dollars for crude imports, as South Korea relies heavily on imports for energy.
The dollar index, which measures the value of the U.S. dollar against a basket of six major currencies, fell 0.02 percent to 98.1.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened at 6,141.6 on Wednesday, up 2.91 percent from the previous session, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street.
This Reuters file photo shows a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam Governorate, on April 12, 2026. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
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