[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s foreign exchange reserves lost ground for the first time in six months in August on the strengthening US dollar, central bank data showed on Sept. 5.

The total value of the country’s forex reserves came to US$401.13 billion last month, down from an all-time high of US$402.45 billion in July, according to the Bank of Korea.

It was the first on-month drop since February this year. The figure surpassed the US$400 billion level for the first time in June. 

The BOK said that the recent strength of the US dollar decreased the value of non-dollar currencies when converted into the greenback.

The value of foreign securities, such as government bonds and corporate debts, amounted to US$372.84 billion last month, down US$2.07 billion from a month earlier.

The country’s reserve position at the IMF stood at US$1.92 billion at the end of August, while holdings in gold bullion were also unchanged at US$4.79 billion during the same period, the central bank said.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)