(LEAD) Korean won falls further against dollar amid oil price surge, supply woes | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead with latest; UPDATES paras 2, 7) SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean currency fell markedly for the second straight session against the U.S. dollar Friday as Middle East tensions pushed oil prices higher and fueled concerns about supply disruptions. The weakness came as global oil prices spiked again overnight, hovering around $100 per barrel, after Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, warned that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed, raising concerns about supply disruptions and escalating tensions in the Middle East. This Reuters file photo shows a plume of smoke billowing following reported Israeli strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, after an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and Lebanon on March 13, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won decline (LEAD) Korean won falls sharply against dollar amid oil price volatility (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens Keywords #FX market Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Most Saved (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens (3rd LD) PM calls on Vance to work together to quickly implement deals on nuclear subs, energy, shipbuilding (2nd LD) Vance welcomes Nat'l Assembly passage of U.S. investment bill: Seoul's PM office (2nd LD) National Assembly passes special bill on U.S. investment pledges with bipartisan support (LEAD) U.S. sanctions 6 individuals, 2 entities for roles in N. Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory prev (LEAD) Korean won falls further against dollar amid oil price surge, supply woes Next (LEAD) Korean won falls further against dollar amid oil price surge, supply woes

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(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead with latest; UPDATES paras 2, 7)
SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean currency fell markedly for the second straight session against the U.S. dollar Friday as Middle East tensions pushed oil prices higher and fueled concerns about supply disruptions.
The won was quoted at 1,493.7 won per dollar, down 12.5 won from the previous session, after posting a 14.7 won decline in the previous session.
The weakness came as global oil prices spiked again overnight, hovering around $100 per barrel, after Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, warned that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed, raising concerns about supply disruptions and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The foreign exchange and stock markets have shown high volatility since last week as the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran have escalated tensions across the broader region.
On Monday, the local currency fell to 1,495.5 against the greenback, the lowest level since March 12, 2009, when the country was reeling from the global financial crisis.
Higher oil prices put downward pressure on the Korean won as they increase the country's demand for dollars to pay for crude imports. South Korea depends heavily on energy imports.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 1.72 percent to 5,487.24 on Friday amid broad risk-off sentiment.
This Reuters file photo shows a plume of smoke billowing following reported Israeli strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, after an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and Lebanon on March 13, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- The weakness came as global oil prices spiked again overnight, hovering around $100 per barrel, after Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, warned that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed, raising concerns about supply disruptions and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
- The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 1.72 percent to 5,487.24 on Friday amid broad risk-off sentiment.
- This Reuters file photo shows a plume of smoke billowing following reported Israeli strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, after an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and Lebanon on March 13, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won decline (LEAD) Korean won falls sharply against dollar amid oil price volatility (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens Keywords #FX market Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Most Saved (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens (3rd LD) PM calls on Vance to work together to quickly implement deals on nuclear subs, energy, shipbuilding (2nd LD) Vance welcomes Nat'l Assembly passage of U.S. investment bill: Seoul's PM office (2nd LD) National Assembly passes special bill on U.S. investment pledges with bipartisan support (LEAD) U.S. sanctions 6 individuals, 2 entities for roles in N.

### Implications
- OK (ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead with latest; UPDATES paras 2, 7) SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean currency fell markedly for the second straight session against the U.S. dollar Friday as Middle East tensions pushed oil prices higher and fueled concerns about supply disruptions.
- This Reuters file photo shows a plume of smoke billowing following reported Israeli strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut, after an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and Lebanon on March 13, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won decline (LEAD) Korean won falls sharply against dollar amid oil price volatility (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens Keywords #FX market Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Most Saved (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Gov't to implement fuel price cap system starting midnight to help ease cost burdens (3rd LD) PM calls on Vance to work together to quickly implement deals on nuclear subs, energy, shipbuilding (2nd LD) Vance welcomes Nat'l Assembly passage of U.S. investment bill: Seoul's PM office (2nd LD) National Assembly passes special bill on U.S. investment pledges with bipartisan support (LEAD) U.S. sanctions 6 individuals, 2 entities for roles in N.
- Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory N.K. leader inspects munitions factory prev (LEAD) Korean won falls further against dollar amid oil price surge, supply woes Next (LEAD) Korean won falls further against dollar amid oil price surge, supply woes

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korean, won, lead topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 586.