ForexMedium•13 November 2026•
1 min read
South Korean Won Weakens as Oil Prices Surge on Middle East Tensions
Key Facts
1The South Korean won weakened by 6 won to close at 1,336.7 per U.S. dollar.
2Brent crude futures jumped 3.3 percent to reach $95.82 per barrel due to renewed Middle East uncertainties.
The South Korean won weakened by 6 won to close at 1,336.7 per U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m. on November 13, 2026. Yonhap News Agency reported that the depreciation coincided with a 3.3% surge in Brent crude futures, which reached $95.82 per barrel following reports of explosions involving oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The currency faced pressure from rising global energy costs and renewed geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East, given South Korea's status as a major energy importer. In related domestic data, South Korea's unemployment rate was recorded at 2.5% on November 10, 2026, performing better than the forecasted 2.8%.