South Korea's top five commercial banks held $70.9bn in USD deposits as of July
9, the highest level since Dec 2022, after a sharp July increase. Corporate USD
deposits totaled $58.69bn, up $5.6bn versus end-June and accounting for about
96% of the rise; household USD deposits rose to $12.2bn, up $244m. Banks say
corporates received large dollar inflows after 1H financial settlements and are
retaining USD for import payments and FX risk management. Market participants
note the won’s appreciation from roughly KRW1,500/USD to around KRW1,400 has
eased profit-taking and spurred dip-buying of dollars.