How did major Korean stocks perform during Thursday morning trading amid the Nvidia controversy?

Samsung Electronics rose 3.4 percent and SK hynix gained 2.04 percent. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries advanced 3.05 percent and Hybe climbed 5.55 percent, while Naver dropped 5.61 percent.

What helped ease investor concerns about the profitability of AI investment as Korean shares rose?

Strong earnings reports from neocloud firm CoreWeave eased concerns about whether massive AI investments would be profitable. Wall Street’s three major indexes also finished higher overnight, with the Nasdaq Composite up 1.6 percent.

Why did Naver shares fall during Thursday morning trading?

Naver tumbled 5.61 percent as Nvidia, whose CEO Jensen Huang was facing escalating controversies, is the company’s third-largest shareholder.

Seoul shares up late Thursday morning amid Nvidia controversies

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Summary

South Korean shares rose late Thursday morning in Seoul as technology stocks gained amid controversies involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The KOSPI was up 61.41 points, or 1.14 percent, at 5,436.77 as of 11:20 a.m., after fluctuating between gains and losses. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix advanced, while Naver fell 5.61 percent. The won traded at 1,334.4 per U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The KOSPI opened 0.2 percent higher and moved between gains and losses during the morning session.
Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.49 percent, the S&P 500 rose 1.31 percent and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.6 percent.
CoreWeave earnings eased investor concerns about the profitability of large AI investments.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 3.05 percent, while Hybe rose 5.55 percent.
The won strengthened 1.8 won against the U.S. dollar from the previous session’s close.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 12, 2026 9:23 am KST
Updated Nov 12, 2026 11:42 am KST

Financial data is shown on a screen at the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Korean stocks traded fairly higher late Thursday morning on strong gains in tech shares amid escalating controversies over Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 61.41 points, or 1.14 percent, to 5,436.77 as of 11:20 a.m.

Opening 0.2 percent higher, the index fluctuated between gains and losses throughout the morning trading session.

Overnight on Wall Street, three major stock indexes finished higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.49 percent, the S&P 500 gained 1.31 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.6 percent.

Strong earnings reports from neocloud firm CoreWeave eased investor concerns over the profitability of massive AI investment.

However, Nvidia fell sharply after the market closed following new reports on Huang's alleged multiple extramarital affairs

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics jumped 3.4 percent, and chipmaker SK hynix added 2.04 percent.

Shipbuilding giant HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 3.05 percent, and K-pop powerhouse Hybe soared 5.55 percent.

However, Naver tumbled 5.61 percent as Nvidia is the third-largest shareholder of the company.

The Korean won was trading at 1,334.4 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 1.8 won from the previous session's close.

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