USD/KRW Exchange Rate Surpasses 1,470 Won Amid Strengthening Korea-Japan Economic Ties and Biotech Growth Strategies

Continued Surge in USD/KRW Exchange Rate

The Korean won to US dollar exchange rate keeps climbing, breaking the 1,470 won mark. Yesterday, it hit a high of 1,473.7 won during trading and closed there, and today it’s holding steady in the late 1450s [1][3][4].

Despite government measures at the end of the year, increased demand from individual investors buying U.S. stocks and import companies settling dollar payments are pushing the rate higher. Additionally, dollar deposits have grown by over 1 trillion won, adding upward pressure on the exchange rate [3].

Korea-Japan Summit: A Step Toward Economic and Security Cooperation

The recent Korea-Japan summit resulted in agreements on broad cooperation in areas like economics, security, and science & technology. The meeting received notable attention, even making the front page of major business outlets with the headline 'Game Changer' [1].

Discussions covered tax cooperation and recognition of wartime veterans, marking significant progress in the fifth round of talks. Both sides are actively seeking tangible advancements [1].

Samsung Biologics and Celltrion Reveal Strategies at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

At the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Samsung Biologics and Celltrion presented their future plans. Samsung Biologics focused on expanding its contract manufacturing (CDMO) capabilities, while Celltrion shared its pipeline of new drug development projects [5].

• Samsung Biologics: Strengthening manufacturing to secure more global contracts
• Celltrion: Accelerating development of 16 candidate drugs

These simultaneous announcements highlight South Korea’s growing influence in the biotech industry [5].

Stock Market Trends: KOSPI Rises Amid Currency Fluctuations

The KOSPI is soaring, but currency movements are catching investors’ attention. Major economic indicators are reflecting the rapid rise in the won, leading to increased market volatility [2][4].

Ongoing subway strike disruptions are also impacting daily commutes and economic activity, adding to market uncertainty [1].

Global Supply Chain Shifts: Google to Start Production in Vietnam

Google plans to begin manufacturing Pixel smartphones in Vietnam starting in 2026. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on China amid ongoing US-China tensions [7].

Other tech giants like Apple are following suit, aiming to mitigate geopolitical risks and avoid hefty tariffs by diversifying production locations [7].