Korean Won Exchange Rate October 2026: Why You're Getting 232,000 Won Less Per $1,000 Than in June

Bottom line: The Korean won has strengthened sharply since June — travelers exchanging the same 1,000 US dollars today get more than 230,000 won less than they would have in June, so budgets planned around a June exchange rate need to be recalculated.

If you didn't know: Based on the Seoul Money Brokerage Services benchmark rate, the won/dollar rate fell from 1,559.50 won on June 5, 2026 to 1,327.50 won on October 21. Exchanging 1,000 dollars got you 1,559,500 won in June, but only 1,327,500 won now — a difference of 232,000 won on the same 1,000 dollars. In step with this, spending at stores popular with foreign tourists has actually risen: Lotte Department Store's September foreign sales were up 80 percent year-on-year chainwide, and Musinsa Seongsu was up 16 percent.

Exchange rates move every day. If you plan a trip around a rate you noted months ago and carry that number into your budget, you may be surprised at the airport counter when you actually get less won than you expected. Domestic spending data reflects the same shift — as the won has kept strengthening through October, reports show that spending growth at department stores and malls popular with foreign tourists has actually accelerated (Lotte Department Store's chainwide foreign sales up 80 percent year-on-year in September, Musinsa Seongsu up 16 percent). When you check the rate before a trip, look at the rate posted right before departure or on arrival day, not an average across several dates, so it matches your real budget.

This article summarizes official information and is not legal, medical, or financial advice.

Journey stage: Before you go · Verified 2026-10-22 · Source: Seoul Money Brokerage Services (benchmark rate), Money Today (2026.9.21)