KOSPI plunges 3.65% as won hits near 2-year high
Korean equities fell sharply despite record earnings at Samsung Electronics, while the won climbed to a near two-year high against the dollar. Bank of Korea's governor defended an early rate hike and headed to Bangkok for G20 and IMF-World Bank meetings.
Markets & chips
KOSPI
Korea's main stock index came under heavy foreign selling pressure even as Samsung Electronics reported record earnings, with retail investors increasingly shifting money to US markets.
Korea's main stock index fell 3.65% even as Samsung Electronics posted record earnings.
The KOSPI opened lower at the 6,500 level as foreign investors sold.
Korean markets & the won
Retail investors are losing confidence in Korean stocks and moving toward the US market.
Korean won
The Korean won reached a near two-year high against the US dollar.
Bank of Korea
The Bank of Korea chief addressed monetary policy timing and is traveling to Bangkok for international financial meetings.
The Bank of Korea governor said an early rate hike ahead of the Fed's move minimized economic costs.
The Bank of Korea governor will attend G20 and IMF-World Bank Group meetings in Bangkok.
Samsung Electronics
Samsung's record earnings have not translated into foreign investor confidence, with overseas ownership falling to an 18-year low.
Foreign ownership of Samsung Electronics fell to an 18-year low despite record earnings.
Naver Map will provide voice guidance on smart glasses from Meta, Google and Samsung.
SK hynix
NAND profits at Samsung and SK hynix are seen surging by up to 40-fold.
Korean chipmakers
The government is increasing support for semiconductor and AI shipbuilding projects in the southwest.
Business of culture
K-pop agencies
K-pop's global commercial reach was on display in both touring revenue and international media partnerships.
BTS drew 150,000 people in Peru, with the concerts projected to generate $58.4m.
A+E Global Media is leveraging the power of K-pop stars.
K-drama, film, webtoons & streaming
Korean content continued to draw global audiences, though overseas piracy remains a large-scale problem for the industry.
Overseas piracy of Korean content neared 500 million cases in 2025, according to a lawmaker.
'The Assassin(s)' slipped to No. 2 at the weekend box office.
Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' overtook 'Avatar: The Way of Water' as Korea's biggest international film of all time.