The benchmark KOSPI slipped to around 8,710 on Wednesday, halting a four-session rally, as weakness in global technology shares and caution ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision weighed on sentiment. Semiconductor stocks came under pressure following a selloff in US AI-related names, with market heavyweight Samsung Electronics retreating and dragging down the broader index. Additional losses were recorded in Hyundai Motor (-3.9%), Kia Corporation (-2.2%), Hyundai Mobis (-4.1%), and KB Financial Group (-1.7%).
Investors also adopted a cautious stance ahead of the first Federal Open Market Committee meeting chaired by Kevin Warsh, amid concerns that policymakers might signal a more hawkish tone even as interest rates are widely expected to remain on hold. At the same time, easing tensions in the Middle East and diminishing oil-price pressures lent some support to risk appetite and helped cap the downside.
