USD/KRW was bumped higher by China's.....>

KOREAN WON: USD/KRW was bumped higher by China's finger-wagging towards the U.S.

after the House of Representatives approved a bill instituting annual reviews of

Hong Kong's special trading status and providing for punitive measures against

individuals who undermine the city's autonomy. The won softened alongside risk

assets as Beijing threatened with retaliation, should the bill become law.

- While the Hong Kong headline boosted USD/KRW and kept it afloat, the latest

BoK MonPol decision came and went. South Korean central bank trimmed its

benchmark interest rate by 25bps, in line with consensus.

- BoK Governor Lee said that there is still room for more policy easing, but the

Bank is "studying options" if policy room shrinks further. However, he stressed

that it would be premature to discuss unconventional MonPol.

- Elsewhere, South Korean unemployment rose more than forecast. Printing at

3.4%, it overshot exp. of 3.3% and the prior reading of 3.1%.

- USD/KRW sits 1.8 figure better off at KRW1,187.10. A rally above the 100-DMA

at KRW1,189.82 would open up KRW1,190.60, the 38.2% retracement of this month's

slide. Bears look for a dip below the Oct 14/Sep 16 low at KRW1,181.15/1,180.97.