I keep waiting for the Korean Won to come somewhere close back to reality. It’s still hovering around 1350 won to the dollar. It was nearly 1500 late last year and then dropped to the mid 1200s after a cash swap deal with the US. But whatever reality has set in now somehow believes that American dollars are worth more than they were.

Trying to plan for a flight back to America in May of this year is proving to be a daunting task. Should I buy now and try to get a cheap flight? Or should I wait and hope the won increases in value and makes it a better deal for a guy with no dollars but plenty of won?

One would think that will the billions of dollars being printed and distributed by the US Treasury that each would be worth less since there’s no gold backing it up. But somehow, the Korean government thinks just the opposite: more dollars in circulations means they are each worth more. I suppose they’re hoping that enough exports of Hyundai cars and ships, LG and Samsung TVs and memory chips will buoy the local economy with an influx of cash. Maybe they’re trying to make up the shortfall in American purchasing with a higher exchange rate.

Whatever the reason, it’s going to cost me a bundle to come home unless it comes down soon. 🙁