# South Korean won depreciation deepens, yen rate hits 800 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-won-depreciation-in-2026 > Updated: 2026-07-27T10:00:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3. In late July 2026 the South Korean won continued its rapid slide against the U.S. dollar, reaching 1,540 per dollar on July 24 and slipping to an intraday low of 1,555 on July 26, the weakest level in over 17 years. The Bank for International Settlements recorded a real effective exchange rate of 82.99, the lowest since March 2009, signalling reduced price competitiveness and prompting heavy foreign selling of Korean equities. The weakening extended to the won‑yen market. On July 27 the won‑yen rate fell to around 800 won per 100 yen, the lowest point since 1986, and remained in that band for five consecutive trading days. Five major South Korean banks sold yen worth about 315 billion yen (≈2.8 trillion won), the largest monthly outflow since December 2024, while yen‑denominated deposits rose sharply. The yen’s value against the dollar rose to roughly 163‑164 yen per dollar, a 40‑year low, raising concerns in Japan about inflation and import costs. These developments underscore an accelerating depreciation of the won, broader forex‑market stress, and the emergence of inflationary risks tied to both the weak won and the strong yen. ## Claims - The won–yen exchange rate fell to around 800 won per 100 yen and remained at that level for five consecutive trading days. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The yen reached about 163‑164 yen per U.S. dollar, the weakest level since 1986. (corroborated by 2 sources) - South Korean banks sold yen worth 315 billion yen (≈2.8 trillion won) between 1‑27 May, the largest monthly total since December 2024. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Cumulative yen‑exchange volume for 2024 reached 1,783 billion yen, about 68 % of last year's total of 2,637 billion yen. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The decline in the won–yen rate was driven by increased Japanese travel demand and speculative ‘forex‑tech’ buying of yen. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Yen‑denominated deposits at the five banks rose by about 693 billion yen (≈619 billion won) in the month, reaching a total of 9,781 billion yen. (single source) - Higher oil prices combined with the weak yen increased Japan’s import costs, raising inflation concerns. (single source) - The Bank of Japan’s upcoming policy meeting may keep rates at 1 % but markets anticipate a possible 0.25‑percentage‑point hike if yen‑driven inflation persists. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-27: South Korean Won Drops to 800 per 100 Yen as Yen Exchange Volume Hits 19‑Month High The won‑yen rate fell to 800 won per 100 yen, driving a 19‑month peak in yen exchange volume as banks sold 315 bn yen and Japan faces inflation risks from a weak yen and high oil prices. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-won-drops-to-800-per-100-yen-as-yen-exchange-volume-hits-19month-high ### 2026-07-26: South Korean won hits 17‑year low in real effective exchange rate South Korea's won REER fell to 82.99 in June, a 17‑year low, as the currency weakened to 1,555 per dollar, hitting its weakest level since 1998 and pressuring the stock market. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-won-hits-17year-low-in-real-effective-exchange-rate ### 2026-07-24: South Korean Won Surpasses 1,540 per Dollar as Yen Slides to 800 per 100 Yen South Korean won rose above 1,540 per dollar, its strongest since 2009, while won‑yen slipped to about 800 per 100 yen as the yen weakened to 163 per dollar. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-won-surpasses-1540-per-dollar-as-yen-slides-to-800-per-100-yen --- Cite as: South Korean won depreciation deepens, yen rate hits 800. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-won-depreciation-in-2026