The Korean won fell past the 1,500 mark against the U.S. dollar early Wednesday for the first time since March 2009 during the global financial crisis, as escalating military clashes involving the U.S., Israel and Iran sent investors rushing to the dollar. According to Reuters and other foreign media reports, the won-dollar exchange rate briefly broke above 1,500 won at around 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday. The rate extended gains to as high as 1,506 won before retreating below the 1,500-won level. The move reflected a sharp surge in the dollar amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty. The breach marked the first time in 17 years that the won-dollar rate had crossed the 1,500 threshold, a level widely viewed as a psychological support line in local currency markets and last seen during the global financial crisis.