Why did Seoul stocks open sharply lower on Monday?

Geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East pushed up oil prices and weighed on Seoul shares. The market also bucked advances on Wall Street, even though U.S. stocks had closed higher on hopes for talks about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Which major stocks fell in Seoul trading as the KOSPI dropped Monday morning?

Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor all moved lower, while Hanwha Aerospace gained. The losses were led by chipmakers, with Samsung Electronics down 3.37 percent and SK hynix off 5.02 percent.

What were the KOSPI and won levels in early Monday trading in Seoul?

The KOSPI stood at 6,694.56 after falling 215.35 points, or 3.12 percent, as of 9:16 a.m. The Korean won traded at 1,346.8 against the U.S. dollar, down 2.7 won from the previous stock trading session.

Seoul stocks open sharply lower amid Mideast uncertainty

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Summary

Seoul stocks opened sharply lower Monday as Middle East uncertainty pushed up oil prices. The KOSPI fell 215.35 points, or 3.12 percent, to 6,694.56 as of 9:16 a.m. Most market heavyweights dropped, including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor, while Hanwha Aerospace rose. The won traded at 1,346.8 against the U.S. dollar, down 2.7 won from the previous stock trading session.

Key Facts

The benchmark KOSPI was down 215.35 points, or 3.12 percent, to 6,694.56 as of 9:16 a.m.
Samsung Electronics fell 3.37 percent and SK hynix declined 5.02 percent in Seoul trading.
LG Energy Solution dipped 2.22 percent and Hyundai Motor fell 4.05 percent, while Hanwha Aerospace added 1.39 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,346.8 won against the U.S. dollar, down 2.7 won from the previous stock trading session.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 14, 2026 9:15 am KST
Updated Sep 14, 2026 9:33 am KST

Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Seoul stocks opened sharply lower Monday, bucking advances on Wall Street, as geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East pushed up oil prices.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was down 215.35 points, or 3.12 percent, to 6,694.56 as of 9:16 a.m.

On Friday (U.S. time), U.S. stocks closed higher on reports Gulf diplomats and Iran officials could hold a meeting Monday to discuss plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, without the U.S. participating.

The S&P 500 added 0.86 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq inched up 0.96 percent.

But the Omani foreign minister said the meeting was indefinitely suspended, dampening hopes for the opening of the crucial shipping route.

In Seoul, most market top caps were trading lower.

Chip giant Samsung Electronics fell 3.37 percent, while its rival SK hynix declined 5.02 percent.

Battery maker LG Energy Solution dipped 2.22 percent, and carmaker Hyundai Motor fell 4.05 percent, while defense giant Hanwha Aerospace added 1.39 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,346.8 won against the U.S. dollar, down 2.7 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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