1. Introduction: The Psychological Barrier Collapses On January 5, 2026, the South Korean financial market witnessed a historic event. The USD/KRW exchange rate surged past the psychological resistance line of 1,450 KRW. This is not just a number; it is a siren signaling that the "old rules" of the Korean economy are no longer functioning. While government officials describe this as a temporary phenomenon caused by the "Strong Dollar" and delayed Fed rate cuts, the data sugge