(LEAD) S. Korean currency surges on hope for Middle East de-escalation, WGBI inclusion | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: RECASTS headline, paras 1-2 with latest; ADDS more details in paras 8-11, additional photo) SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean won rose sharply against the U.S. dollar Wednesday, as investors welcomed potential signs of an end to the monthlong war in the Middle East, along with South Korea's inclusion in a major global bond index. Officials work at a dealing room of Woori Bank in Seoul on April 1, 2026. (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (LEAD) Seoul shares open sharply higher amid hopes for end to Middle East war (2nd LD) Trump says U.S. might end war with Iran in '2 or 3 weeks' Nat'l Assembly passes tax bills to stabilize foreign exchange market S. Korea joins World Government Bond Index: minister Keywords #Korean currency Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. Korean currency surges on hope for Middle East de-escalation, WGBI inclusion Next (LEAD) S.

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(ATTN: RECASTS headline, paras 1-2 with latest; ADDS more details in paras 8-11, additional photo)
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean won rose sharply against the U.S. dollar Wednesday, as investors welcomed potential signs of an end to the monthlong war in the Middle East, along with South Korea's inclusion in a major global bond index.
The won closed at 1,501.3 per dollar, up 28.8 won from the previous session's 1,530.1, snapping a five-day losing streak.
Tuesday's level was the lowest since March 9, 2009, when the won closed at 1,549 as the country was grappling with the global financial crisis.
In this file photo, U.S. dollar banknotes are seen at the counterfeit detection center of the Hana Bank headquarters in central Seoul on June 23, 2022. (Yonhap)
The won's strengthening came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday (U.S. time) he expects U.S. forces to withdraw from Iran within "two or three weeks," adding, "All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll come tumbling down."
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also told European Council President António Costa that Tehran has the "necessary will" to end the war, provided its adversaries guarantee it will not reignite, according to foreign media reports.
Overnight, the dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six major peers, fell below the 100 level. U.S. stocks also rose sharply amid hopes for progress in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
Domestic and global foreign exchange and stock markets have seen heightened volatility as U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began late last month escalated into a broader regional conflict, driving up global oil prices and stoking concerns about inflation and an economic slowdown.
Also boosting sentiment is optimism over South Korea's inclusion in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI), managed by Britain-based index provider FTSE Russell.
Following its inclusion, foreign funds tracking the WGBI are expected to flow into the local market in phases over an eight-month period through November.
"The inclusion is expected to help stabilize the country's foreign exchange and financial markets," Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said. "Foreign financial institutions and bond dealers expect new inflows of around US$50 billion to $60 billion following the inclusion, and inflows have in fact been confirmed this week."
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 8.44 percent to 5,478.7 Wednesday, driven by sharp gains of big-cap tech shares.
Officials work at a dealing room of Woori Bank in Seoul on April 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) S. Korean currency surges on hope for Middle East de-escalation, WGBI inclusion

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- U.S. stocks also rose sharply amid hopes for progress in negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea joins World Government Bond Index: minister Keywords #Korean currency Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- President Donald Trump said Tuesday (U.S. time) he expects U.S. forces to withdraw from Iran within "two or three weeks," adding, "All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll come tumbling down." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also told European Council President António Costa that Tehran has the "necessary will" to end the war, provided its adversaries guarantee it will not reignite, according to foreign media reports.
- Following its inclusion, foreign funds tracking the WGBI are expected to flow into the local market in phases over an eight-month period through November. "The inclusion is expected to help stabilize the country's foreign exchange and financial markets," Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said. "Foreign financial institutions and bond dealers expect new inflows of around US$50 billion to $60 billion following the inclusion, and inflows have in fact been confirmed this week." The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 8.44 percent to 5,478.7 Wednesday, driven by sharp gains of big-cap tech shares.
- Officials work at a dealing room of Woori Bank in Seoul on April 1, 2026. (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (LEAD) Seoul shares open sharply higher amid hopes for end to Middle East war (2nd LD) Trump says U.S. might end war with Iran in '2 or 3 weeks' Nat'l Assembly passes tax bills to stabilize foreign exchange market S.
- Korea joins World Government Bond Index: minister Keywords #Korean currency Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers inclusion, korea, index topics. Notable strengths include discussion of inclusion. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 742.