S. Korean currency hits 15-year low versus U.S. dollar

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The South Korean currency hit the lowest in 15 years versus the U.S. dollar Thursday on expectations for slower rate cuts in the United States.

The won/dollar exchange rate soared 16.6 won to 1,452.1 won per dollar at 9:10 a.m. local time (0010 GMT), marking the first time since March 2009 that the intra-day high topped 1,450 won.

Despite the 25-basis-point interest rate cut in