Foreign Investors in South Korea Sell 2.7 Trillion Won of Stocks Daily in May-June, Won Held at 1,560 vs Dollar

According to Yonhap Infomax, foreign investors conducted net sales of stocks averaging 2.7 trillion won per day across May and June 2026, exerting strong upward pressure on the dollar-won exchange rate. In June alone, net outflows reached 57.1 trillion won over 21 trading days; May saw 48.5 trillion won in net selling over 18 trading days.

Despite this selling pressure, the won-dollar rate was capped at approximately 1,560 won, surprising analysts who expected it to breach 1,600. The Bank of Korea attributed the defense to record current account surpluses in May (38.61 billion dollars) and June exports (102.25 billion dollars), coupled with active intervention and National Pension Fund currency hedging. Foreign investors began reverting to purchases from July 8 onward.