Why did Seoul stocks open sharply lower on Wednesday amid Mideast tensions?

Korean stocks tracked losses on Wall Street as renewed U.S. military strikes on Iran pushed up oil prices and raised inflation concerns in the United States. Those worries also triggered a selloff in government bonds.

Which major Korean stocks fell the most at the Seoul market open on Wednesday?

Samsung Electronics fell 3.26 percent, SK hynix lost 3.01 percent, and Hyundai Motor declined 3.87 percent. Doosan Enerbility, Shinsegae, and Samsung Biologics also traded lower.

How did the Korean won move against the U.S. dollar when Seoul stocks opened lower?

The won was quoted at 1,371.05 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., which was 2.35 won higher than the previous stock trading session. The currency move came alongside the weaker start in the stock market.

Seoul stocks open sharply lower amid escalating hostilities in Mideast

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Summary

Seoul stocks opened sharply lower Wednesday as the United States and Iran continued exchanging military attacks, pushing up oil prices. The benchmark KOSPI fell 184.73 points, or 2.7 percent, to 6,651.07 as of 9:15 a.m. Most shares moved into negative territory, with Samsung Electronics, SK hynix and Hyundai Motor among the notable decliners. The Korean won traded at 1,371.05 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.35 won from the previous stock trading session.

Key Facts

The KOSPI dropped 184.73 points, or 2.7 percent, to 6,651.07 as of 9:15 a.m. Wednesday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.79 percent, the S&P 500 lost 0.71 percent, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 1.03 percent overnight.
Samsung Electronics fell 3.26 percent, SK hynix sank 3.01 percent, and Hyundai Motor slumped 3.87 percent in Seoul trading.
Shinsegae dipped 6.08 percent and Samsung Biologics retreated 1.32 percent.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,371.05 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.35 won from the previous stock trading session.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 2, 2026 9:28 am KST

The benchmark KOSPI and Kosdaq indices are displayed at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Korean stocks started sharply lower Wednesday, tracking losses on Wall Street, as the United States and Iran continued exchanging military attacks, which pushed up oil prices.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 184.73 points, or 2.7 percent, to 6,651.07 as of 9:15 a.m.

Overnight, major U.S. stocks closed lower as a new round of U.S. military strikes on Iran pushed up oil prices and fueled concerns over inflation in the world's largest economy.

Inflation worries stoked a government bond selloff, as the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to the highest point since January last year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.79 percent, and the S&P 500 lost 0.71 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite dropped 1.03 percent.

In Seoul, most shares opened in negative territory.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics tumbled 3.26 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix sank 3.01 percent.

Top carmaker Hyundai Motor slumped 3.87 percent, and major energy firm Doosan Enerbility slid 3.32 percent.

Retail giant Shinsegae dipped 6.08 percent, and leading pharmaceutical firm Samsung Biologics retreated 1.32 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,371.05 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.35 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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