KOSPI Index Crash, South Korea Stock Market Bloodbath [LIVE]

Asian technology stocks continued to fall, with SoftBank dropping more than 7% as investors pulled back from AI-related names. Major semiconductor and technology companies, including Samsung, SK Hynix, TSMC, and Hon Hai, also came under heavy selling pressure. The decline followed weaker-than-expected revenue guidance from Broadcom and was compounded by broader geopolitical concerns, prompting investors to reassess valuations across the sector. The selloff highlights growing caution toward stocks that have led the AI rally and raises the possibility of further sector rotation if investors shift capital away from high-growth technology names.

South Korea’s stock market was temporarily halted after a steep decline triggered a circuit breaker, but some investors expect the selloff to prove short-lived. The view is that the initial drop reflected a reaction to weakness in U.S. markets and a broader reassessment of risk, rather than a deterioration in South Korea’s economic outlook. Recent technology partnerships and investment announcements, including those involving Nvidia, continue to support longer-term growth expectations. Market participants note that volatility is a normal feature of equity markets, and periods of sharp declines can also create opportunities for investors willing to look beyond short-term price swings.

Goldman Sachs expects South Korean stocks to recover after the sharp decline that triggered a market-wide circuit breaker. Timothy Moe, the firm’s chief Asia-Pacific regional equity strategist, said the selloff is likely to be remembered as a technical correction rather than the start of a prolonged downturn. Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Moe noted that while the move was severe, the underlying fundamentals supporting the market remain strong. His comments suggest that recent volatility has not materially changed the longer-term bullish outlook for South Korean equities.

South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index fell more than 8% within the first 20 minutes of trading, triggering a circuit breaker and temporarily halting the market. The selloff pushed the index into the 7,500–7,600 range and marked one of its sharpest declines in recent months. The South Korean won also weakened to levels last seen during the 2008 financial crisis, reflecting broader market stress. Technology stocks led the downturn, with Samsung shares falling about 11% as investors reacted to a sharp selloff in U.S. technology and AI-related stocks. Market participants are now watching whether authorities introduce additional measures to stabilize trading conditions.