South Korea’s won has strengthened into the mid-1,300 range against the dollar, prompting the Bank of Korea to say per capita gross national income is highly likely to exceed $40,000, or approximately 54 million won, this year if the currency stabilization trend continues. The exchange rate closed the previous session at 1,345.6 won on September 9, up 5.1 won. Exporters have been selling dollars accumulated during the semiconductor boom, while shipbuilders’ and heavy-industry companies’ order backlogs have added to supply. The current account surplus, narrowing interest-rate differential and stronger yen have also supported the won. The Bank of Korea said second-quarter nominal GNI increased 8.8% quarter-on-quarter, while nominal GDP rose 26.4% year-on-year, its fastest growth in approximately 47 years. Analysts expect the semiconductor cycle and shareholder-return policies to support the won, although importers’ dollar demand and long-term overseas investment outflows could slow the currency’s decline. The market’s next focus is the U.S. August Consumer Price Index, with trading expected to remain driven by supply and demand while New York markets are closed for the U.S. Labor Day holiday.