The South Korean won traded around 1,333 per dollar, recovering losses and approaching its strongest level since October 2024, as an easing semiconductor sell-off and renewed appetite for riskier assets lifted the currency. Foreign investors returned to net buying in South Korean equities, purchasing KRW 343.5 billion worth of shares after a prolonged tech-led rout, helping ease concerns over capital outflows. Additionally, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s positive assessment of the US economy and AI-driven growth helped revive demand for riskier assets, while declines in US Treasury yields and the dollar offered further support to the won. However, Warsh gave no clear signal on a rate hike this month, while strong US data and inflation concerns reinforced bets on a December hike. Also, persistent AI valuation concerns, Chinese competition in memory chips, and elevated inflation risks remained potential headwinds for Korean markets.

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