The won-dollar exchange rate stood at 1,347.3 won at 9 a.m. on the 15th, unchanged from the previous trading session’s close. The rate is expected to rise as escalating Middle East tensions add to pressure from higher international oil prices, surging U.S. Treasury yields and declines in U.S. equities. Brent crude futures rose 1.02% to $105.68 a barrel on the 14th local time, while the 10-year Treasury yield reached 5.01%, its highest level since October 2023. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell 0.48% and 0.56%, respectively. Woori Bank researcher Min Kyung-won said oil-supply instability and debate over slowing the pace of AI development could weigh on semiconductor stocks and encourage risk aversion in South Korea. Analysts nevertheless said the exchange-rate increase could be limited because strong semiconductor exports by major domestic companies are supplying dollars to Seoul’s foreign-exchange market; converting those export proceeds into won supports the Korean currency.