How far did the KOSPI fall late Thursday morning, and what was the main concern weighing on Seoul stocks?

At 11:20 a.m., the KOSPI was down 185.77 points, or 3.27 percent, at 5,498.03. Investors were concerned that the new House and Senate could tighten regulations on AI data centers after the U.S. midterm elections.

Which South Korean semiconductor and technology shares fell the most in late Thursday morning trading?

Samsung Electro-Mechanics had the steepest reported decline among the named companies, falling 10.04 percent. Hanmi Semiconductor plunged 7.58 percent, SK hynix tumbled 6.52 percent and Samsung Electronics sank 5.05 percent.

What happened to the Korean won against the U.S. dollar during late Thursday morning trading?

The won traded at 1,342.15 per U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m. It was down 0.65 won from the previous stock trading session’s close.

Seoul shares sharply down late Thursday morning as US midterm results spark AI woes

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Summary

South Korean stocks fell sharply in Seoul late Thursday morning as investors worried that the new U.S. Congress could tighten regulations on AI data centers after the midterm elections. The KOSPI dropped 185.77 points, or 3.27 percent, to 5,498.03 as of 11:20 a.m. Semiconductor shares led the declines, while the Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The KOSPI opened 1.82 percent lower before extending its losses.
Samsung Electronics fell 5.05 percent, SK hynix dropped 6.52 percent and Hanmi Semiconductor plunged 7.58 percent.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics declined 10.04 percent, SK Innovation lost 5.9 percent and Hanwha Aerospace fell 4.76 percent.
The Korean won traded at 1,342.15 per U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 0.65 won from the previous session’s close.
Major U.S. stock indexes finished higher overnight as investors welcomed the Democrats-led Congress.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 5, 2026 9:41 am KST
Updated Nov 5, 2026 11:56 am KST

A screen at the dealing room of Hana Bank’s headquarters in central Seoul shows the KOSPI indices, Thursday. Yonhap

South Korean stocks traded sharply lower late Thursday morning as investors were worried about the future of U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) policies after the midterm elections.

After opening 1.82 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended losses, dropping 185.77 points, or 3.27 percent, to 5,498.03 as of 11:20 a.m.

Overnight on Wall Street, major stock indexes finished higher as investors welcomed the Democrats-led Congress.

However, the election outcome raised concerns that the new House and Senate would tighten regulations on AI data centers.

In Seoul, semiconductor shares traded in negative territory.

Tech giant Samsung Electronics sank 5.05 percent, and SK hynix tumbled 6.52 percent.

Hanmi Semiconductor, a leading chip equipment maker, plunged 7.58 percent, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, the electronic component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, dived 10.04 percent.

Leading oil refinery SK Innovation lost 5.9 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace fell 4.76 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,342.15 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 0.65 won from the previous stock trading session's close.

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