How did South Korean stocks and major companies trade after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was ousted?

As of 9:15 a.m., the KOSPI had risen 150.08 points to 5,492.81 after opening 2.05 percent higher. KB Financial Group gained 1.84 percent and Hanwha Aerospace rose 1.07 percent, alongside gains in Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution.

What happened to the Korean won and U.S. stock indexes as investors reacted to Jensen Huang’s departure?

The won was quoted at 1,336.5 per U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.7 won from the previous close. Overnight, the Dow fell 0.36 percent, the S&P 500 declined 0.35 percent, the Nasdaq lost 0.39 percent and the PHLX semiconductor index retreated 0.54 percent.

Seoul shares start sharply higher following Nvidia's leadership change

Q: Why did Nvidia’s board remove Jensen Huang as CEO, and who was named interim CEO?

The board ousted Huang after reports of multiple affairs, including one with a suspected Chinese spy. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress was named interim CEO.

Listen

Summary

Korean stocks opened sharply higher in Seoul Friday, with the KOSPI up 2.81 percent to 5,492.81 as of 9:15 a.m., despite losses on Wall Street. Nvidia’s board ousted CEO Jensen Huang and named CFO Colette Kress interim CEO after reports of multiple affairs, including one with a suspected Chinese spy. Huang’s departure raised questions among investors about the future of the global AI ecosystem. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led gains among major Korean shares.

Key Facts

The KOSPI opened 2.05 percent higher before adding 150.08 points, or 2.81 percent, to 5,492.81.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.36 percent, the S&P 500 lost 0.35 percent and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.39 percent overnight.
The PHLX semiconductor index retreated 0.54 percent.
Samsung Electronics gained 3.37 percent, SK hynix jumped 4.63 percent, Hyundai Motor climbed 2.63 percent and LG Energy Solution advanced 0.46 percent.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,336.5 won against the U.S. dollar, down 0.7 won from the previous session’s close.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 13, 2026 9:17 am KST
Updated Nov 13, 2026 9:43 am KST

A trader works at a Hana Bank dealing room in Jung District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Korean stocks opened sharply higher Friday despite U.S. losses following the departure of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who has been deeply connected with the current artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

Opening 2.05 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 150.08 points, or 2.81 percent, to 5,492.81 as of 9:15 a.m.

Overnight on Wall Street, major stock indexes finished lower due to losses in tech shares.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.36 percent, the S&P 500 lost 0.35 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.39 percent.

The PHLX semiconductor index retreated 0.54 percent.

After reports of multiple affairs, including one with a suspected Chinese spy, Nvidia's board ousted Huang from the CEO position and named CFO Colette Kress as interim CEO.

Huang's departure casts questions among investors about the future of the global AI ecosystem, in which the Nvidia founder played a crucial role.

In Seoul, KOSPI heavyweights started in positive territory.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 3.37 percent, and chipmaker SK hynix jumped 4.63 percent.

Top carmaker Hyundai Motor climbed 2.63 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution advanced 0.46 percent.

KB Financial Group rose 1.84 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace increased 1.07 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,336.5 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.7 won from the previous trading session's close.

Explore More