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Korea's daily forex trading hit record high in Q1, BOK data reveals

Published: 29 Apr. 2026, 13:49 Updated: 30 Apr. 2026, 12:48

Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun-song delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration ceremony held at the Bank of Korea in Jung District, central Seoul, on April 26. [NEWS1]

Daily foreign exchange trading by banks in Korea hit an all-time high in the first quarter, driven by increased cross-border trading of stocks and bonds and hedging, central bank data showed Wednesday.

Average daily forex turnover, including derivatives trading, came to $102.65 billion in the January to March period, up 21.3 percent from the previous quarter's $84.62 billion, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).

It marked the highest quarterly level since the central bank began compiling such data under the current statistical standards in 2008.

The BOK said the sharp increase in forex turnover was driven by a sharp rise in foreign investors' trading in local stocks and bonds, and the currency market also showed increased volatility.

Average daily spot forex turnover climbed 26.2 percent on-quarter to $42.39 billion in the first quarter, while derivatives trading increased 18.1 percent to $60.27 billion over the cited period, according to the central bank.

Yonhap