Seoul: Won hits near 19-mth low as dollar rallies; stocks fall

[SEOUL] South Korea's won fell to its weakest in almost 19 months against the dollar on Tuesday while stock prices edged down, both hit by the US currency's rally on strengthening views for a US interest rate increase.

The won fell as much as 1 per cent to 1,123.3 per dollar, its weakest since Aug 22, 2013, before finishing local trade at 1,122.6, compared to Monday's local close of 1,112.1.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) dropped 0.4 per cent to end at 1,984.77 points, extending a 1 per cent decline on Monday.

REUTERS