Why did Seoul stocks fall sharply on Tuesday morning?

Seoul stocks weakened after overnight losses in U.S. technology shares, while investors stayed cautious ahead of Nvidia’s earnings release. The market also faced concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and awaited U.S. economic data and corporate earnings due this week.

How did Samsung Electronics and SK hynix perform in the Seoul market Tuesday?

Samsung Electronics fell 4.28 percent and SK hynix declined 6.46 percent, leading the market’s drop. The article says technology stocks led the decline, with chipmakers under pressure amid renewed concerns about the profitability of AI-related investments.

What other market moves were reported alongside the KOSPI decline?

The Korean won traded at 1,380.00 per U.S. dollar, up 3.2 won from the previous stock trading session. Among the gainers, Samyang Foods rose 0.2 percent and Korea Zinc climbed 2.31 percent, while Hyundai Motor and Hanwha Aerospace also fell.

Seoul stocks open sharply lower on tech selloff

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Summary

Seoul shares opened sharply lower Tuesday as U.S. technology stocks fell overnight and investors awaited Nvidia’s upcoming earnings release. The KOSPI was down 244.84 points, or 3.66 percent, at 6,452.12 by 9:15 a.m. Technology shares led the decline, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both falling sharply. The won traded at 1,380.00 against the U.S. dollar, up 3.2 won from the previous session.

Key Facts

The KOSPI opened 2.4 percent lower and was down 244.84 points, or 3.66 percent, at 6,452.12 as of 9:15 a.m.
Samsung Electronics fell 4.28 percent and SK hynix declined 6.46 percent.
Hyundai Motor dropped 1.57 percent, while Hanwha Aerospace shed 0.72 percent.
Samyang Foods rose 0.2 percent and Korea Zinc climbed 2.31 percent.
The won was quoted at 1,380.00 against the U.S. dollar, up 3.2 won from the previous stock trading session.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 25, 2026 9:22 am KST
Updated Aug 25, 2026 9:39 am KST

The benchmark KOSPI and the won-dollar exchange rate are displayed at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Seoul shares opened sharply lower Tuesday, following overnight losses in U.S. technology shares, as investors remained cautious ahead of key events, including the upcoming earnings release from U.S. chip giant Nvidia.

After opening 2.4 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended its losses, trading 244.84 points, or 3.66 percent, lower at 6,452.12 as of 9:15 a.m.

The index fell more than 3 percent in the previous session on a sharp decline in chipmakers, such as Samsung Electronics, amid renewed concerns over the profitability of artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments.

Overnight, U.S. stocks closed mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.26 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.76 percent.

Investors are also weighing escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East while awaiting U.S. economic data and corporate earnings due this week.

Federal Reserve Gov. Kevin Warsh is expected to speak at the annual Jackson Hole gathering in Wyoming on Friday (U.S. time), which will provide clues to the Fed's monetary policy outlook amid persistent inflation.

Technology stocks led the decline.

Samsung Electronics fell 4.28 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 6.46 percent.

Top automaker Hyundai Motor dropped 1.57 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace shed 0.72 percent.

Among the gainers, Samyang Foods rose 0.2 percent and Korea Zinc climbed 2.31 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,380.00 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.2 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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