The Korean currency fell past the 1,500-won level against the U.S. dollar Monday for the first time in 17 years as global oil prices surged amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. The won opened at 1,501 per dollar, down 7.3 won from the previous session, breaching the 1,500-won mark for the first time in intraday trading since March 12, 2009, when the country was reeling from the global financial crisis. The won later trimmed its losses and was fluctuating in the mid-1,490 won range. As of 9:30 a.m., the currency was quoted at 1,494.15 won per dollar. The weakness came as global oil prices spiked again overnight as U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the war with Iran could last several more weeks and called on the international community to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 2.9 percent to about $106.12 a barrel. U.S. oil also rose to over $100. The conflict has entered its third week, causing serious disruptions to global oil supplies. The Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway controlled by Iran, has been effectively shut since the