How much did the KOSPI recover by late Monday morning, and which major Korean stocks rose?

As of 11:20 a.m., the KOSPI was up 93.16 points, or 1.63 percent, at 5,823.9. Samsung Electronics gained 0.89 percent, SK hynix rose 2.47 percent, and Hanwha Aerospace jumped 6.75 percent.

What drove concerns about AI investment before Seoul stocks rebounded?

Investors were concerned about the profitability of AI investment. Disappointing quarterly results from major U.S. technology companies fueled those concerns, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed down more than 1 percent on Friday U.S. time.

How strong were Korea’s semiconductor exports in October, and what happened to the won-dollar rate?

Trade ministry data showed semiconductor exports surged 259 percent year on year in October. At 11:20 a.m. Monday, the won traded at 1,341.9 per U.S. dollar, down 7.6 won from the previous session’s close.

Seoul stocks turn up late Monday morning on bargain hunting

Listen

Summary

Seoul stocks reversed course and rose in Seoul late Monday morning as investors bought technology shares at lower prices. The KOSPI gained 93.16 points, or 1.63 percent, to 5,823.9 as of 11:20 a.m., after opening more than 1 percent lower. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix advanced, while Hanwha Aerospace rose 6.75 percent. The won weakened to 1,341.9 per U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The KOSPI had fallen more than 3 percent on Friday amid concerns about the profitability of artificial intelligence investment.
On Friday U.S. time, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each closed down more than 1 percent after disappointing quarterly results from major technology companies.
Intel plunged more than 28 percent, while Alphabet fell 1.4 percent.
Semiconductor exports rose 259 percent year on year in October, according to trade ministry data.
SK Square gained 2.79 percent and Celltrion added 0.89 percent; the won was down 7.6 won from the previous session’s close.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 2, 2026 9:16 am KST
Updated Nov 2, 2026 11:36 am KST

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

Seoul stocks reversed course to trade higher late Monday morning as investors went bargain hunting for tech heavyweights.

After opening over 1 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 93.16 points, or 1.63 percent, to 5,823.9 as of 11:20 a.m.

On Friday, the index dipped over 3 percent amid persistent woes over the profitability of artificial intelligence (AI) investment.

On Friday (U.S. time), the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq both closed down over 1 percent, as disappointing quarterly results from big tech companies fueled concerns over investments in AI .

Chip giant Intel led the overall decline, plunging over 28 percent, while Google's parent company Alphabet dipped 1.4 percent.

Despite the AI-related cash burn woes, Korea's semiconductor exports remained strong, with outbound shipments for the sector skyrocketing 259 percent on-year in October, data from the trade ministry showed.

Chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix added 0.89 percent and 2.47 percent, respectively.

AI investment firm SK Square strengthened 2.79 percent, bio firm Celltrion added 0.89 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace jumped 6.75 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,341.9 won against the U.S. dollar, down 7.6 won from the close of the previous session, as of 11:20 a.m.

Explore More