[Young journalist Hansae Jung] On July 4, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the KRW/USD exchange rate showed an upward trend early in the trading session, boosted by strong U.S. employment data for June. 

The increase in U.S. non-farm payrolls significantly exceeded market expectations, which is seen to have stimulated dollar strength. Meanwhile, the KRW/JPY cross-rate showed a slight downward trend. As of 9:01 a.m. in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the Korean won was trading at 1,363.1 won per U.S. dollar, up 3.7 won from the previous day’s closing price at 3:30 P.M. 

The exchange rate opened at 1,362.0 won, up 2.6 won from the previous day. Overnight, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that non-farm payrolls rose by 147,000 in June from the previous month.

This significantly exceeds the 110,000 increase projected by market analysts in advance, indicating that the labor market remains resilient. Despite the Trump administration’s trade and tariff policies, the continued job creation in the U.S. economy is seen as having somewhat eased concerns over an economic slowdown. As a result, the U.S. dollar index, which reflects the value of the dollar against the currencies of six major countries, rebounded above the 97 level. At the same time, the KRW/JPY cross-rate stood at 942.20 won per 100 yen, down 2.52 won from the previous day's 3:30 p.m. close of 944.72 won. The yen/dollar exchange rate is 144.70 yen, down 0.22 yen.

▶원문 기사: 미국 고용지표 호조에 원/달러 환율 상승…장 초반 1,363원 돌파 (이코노미스트, 2025.7.4)

◆이코노미스트가 글로벌 차세대 경제 리더, 청소년 기자단 영 저널리스트와 함께합니다. 영 저널리스트 기자단은 프리미엄 경제지 이코노미스트, 논술 전문 기관 Ni 에듀케이션과 함께 주요 시사 이슈를 팔로우업하고 직접 기획, 취재, 기사 작성 활동을 하며 사회적 문제를 고심하고 해결 방안을 제시하는 과정을 경험하게 됩니다. 이번 기사는 영 저널리스트 기자단이 이코노미스트 기사를 영문으로 번역하며 이슈를 팔로우업한 기사입니다. 차세대 글로벌 경제 리더, <영 저널리스트 with  이코노미스트> 영문 기사는 매주 연재됩니다.

ⓒ이코노미스트(https://economist.co.kr) '내일을 위한 경제뉴스 이코노미스트' 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지