US Dollar Worth More Than The Korean Won. Many people wonder if the US Dollar is worth more than the Korean Won in 2025. The answer is yes 1 US Dollar is worth much more than 1 South Korean Won. But why is this the case? In this article, we will explain the reasons, compare both currencies, and show how they are used in trade and travel.
What Is Currency Value?
Currency value means how much one country’s money is worth when compared to another country’s money. This is called the exchange rate. It changes every day because of trade, inflation, interest rates, and government policies.
US Dollar vs. Korean Won: 2025 Exchange Rate
As of July 2025, the exchange rate is:
| Currency | Value in KRW (Korean Won) |
|---|---|
| 1 US Dollar (USD) | Around 1,330 KRW |
| 1,000 KRW | Around 0.75 USD |
This clearly shows that 1 Dollar gives you many Korean Won, so the US Dollar is stronger than the Korean Won.
Why Is The US Dollar Stronger?
Here are some reasons:
1. US Economy Is Bigger
- The United States has one of the largest and most stable economies in the world.
- Big companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are from the US.
- Many countries use the US Dollar in international trade.
2. Global Reserve Currency
- The US Dollar is used by many countries as a reserve currency.
- It is trusted all over the world for buying oil, gold, and doing business.
3. South Korean Won Is a Local Currency
- South Korea is a strong economy but smaller than the US.
- The Korean Won is used only inside South Korea.
- It is not a global currency.
How Exchange Rate Affects You
Travelers
- If you visit South Korea from the US, your money goes further.
- Example: With 100 USD, you can get over 130,000 KRW, which buys a lot in South Korea.
Import and Export
- South Korea exports electronics, cars (like Hyundai and Samsung phones).
- When the Dollar is strong, US buyers find Korean goods cheaper.
- This helps South Korean exports.
Will the Korean Won Ever Be Equal to the US Dollar?
It is unlikely that 1 KRW will equal 1 USD. The reason is not that one country is poor or rich—it is mostly about how currencies are counted and valued.
- Korea uses large numbers (e.g., 10,000 KRW is common).
- The US uses smaller denominations (e.g., 1, 5, 10 dollars).
- Even Japan has a similar system: 1 US Dollar = around 150 Japanese Yen.
So, big numbers do not mean weak economy—they are just different currency styles.
5-Year Exchange Rate History (2021–2025)
| Year | 1 USD = KRW |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,120 KRW |
| 2022 | 1,250 KRW |
| 2023 | 1,300 KRW |
| 2024 | 1,320 KRW |
| 2025 | 1,330 KRW |
This chart shows the Korean Won has slowly weakened against the US Dollar in recent years.
Conclusion
Yes, the US Dollar is worth more than the Korean Won in 2025. This is because of many economic reasons, like the size of the US economy, global trade, and how currencies are used. However, it doesn’t mean that Korea is weak—just that currencies work in different ways.
So, if you are a tourist, trader, or student planning to use one of these currencies, it’s helpful to know the exchange rate and understand what affects it.
