Why did the KOSPI fall late Monday morning?

The KOSPI fell as technology stocks declined amid concerns that elevated oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions could fuel inflation. A broader regional conflict could disrupt energy supplies and increase pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

Which Korean stocks led the Monday morning decline?

Technology stocks led the decline, with Samsung Electronics falling 2 percent and SK hynix dropping 2.86 percent. Hanwha Aerospace fell 2.58 percent, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plunged 3.91 percent.

Which stocks gained while Seoul shares fell on Monday?

Kia rose 0.94 percent and shipping firm HMM jumped 5.29 percent. Their gains contrasted with the broader market decline and losses among major technology, defense and shipbuilding companies.

Seoul shares extend losses late Monday morning on tech sell-off

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Summary

The KOSPI extended losses in Seoul late Monday morning as technology stocks fell amid elevated oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions. The index declined 150.98 points, or 2.28 percent, to 6,474.95 as of 9:15 a.m. Foreign investors sold a net 699.27 billion won in stocks. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix fell, while Kia and HMM gained.

Key Facts

The Korean won was trading at 1,335.35 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 6.65 won from the previous session’s close.
Samsung Electronics fell 2 percent, while SK hynix declined 2.86 percent.
Hanwha Aerospace dropped 2.58 percent and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plunged 3.91 percent.
Kia rose 0.94 percent and HMM jumped 5.29 percent.
Institutions and individual investors bought a net 3.25 billion won and 441.74 billion won, respectively.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 12, 2026 9:15 am KST
Updated Oct 12, 2026 11:45 am KST

A worker is seen at the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Seoul shares extended their losses late Monday morning, led by declines in technology stocks, as elevated oil prices and escalating tensions in the Middle East fueled inflation concerns.

After opening 0.72 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 150.98 points, or 2.28 percent, to 6,474.95 as of 9:15 a.m.

Foreigners sold a net 699.27 billion won ($524 million) worth of stocks, while institutions and individuals bought a net 3.25 billion won and 441.74 billion won, respectively.

The decline came despite gains on Wall Street on Friday (U.S. time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.83 percent on Friday (local time), while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.64 percent.

Oil prices rose amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's main airport over the weekend.

A broader regional conflict could further disrupt energy supplies, stoking inflation and increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

In Seoul, tech stocks led the decline.

Market behemoth Samsung Electronics fell 2 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 2.86 percent.

Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace dropped 2.58 percent, and leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plunged 3.91 percent.

Among gainers, No. 2 carmaker Kia rose 0.94 percent, and shipping firm HMM jumped 5.29 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,335.35 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 6.65 won from the previous stock trading session's close.

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