South Korea’s foreign-exchange reserves rose a record $14.33 billion to $442.28 billion at the end of August, their highest level since May 2022, marking a third consecutive monthly gain. The Bank of Korea attributed the increase mainly to large dollar deposits from semiconductor exporters such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix that banks placed with the central bank, including surplus funds beyond reserve requirements, as well as foreign-currency asset valuation gains from a weaker dollar. The won-dollar rate fell to 1,355.9 won intraday and closed at 1,359.3 won, supported by strong semiconductor-related dollar supply and measures by U.S. and Japanese authorities to limit yen weakness. The BOK also omitted its monthly country-by-country reserve ranking for the first time since February 2001, saying rankings affected by factors such as gold-price movements had limited value in assessing external soundness.