The benchmark KOSPI fell more than 1% to around 6,620 on Monday, extending losses from the previous session as continued weakness in US technology shares weighed on investor sentiment. The decline tracked another selloff on Wall Street, with investors remaining cautious ahead of major US tech earnings and this week’s Federal Reserve policy decision, which could provide fresh signals on AI-related spending and the interest rate outlook.
Among the notable decliners were Samsung Electronics (-0.7%), SK Hynix (-1.4%), SK Square (-4.9%), Hyundai Motor (-1.1%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-7.7%).
At the same time, easing geopolitical tensions—after the US paused strikes on Iran over the weekend—drove oil prices sharply lower and helped improve global risk appetite. Sentiment was further supported by a series of AI-focused cooperation agreements between South Korean companies and global technology leaders, including a long-term semiconductor supply deal between SK Group and Nvidia, as well as Nvidia’s investment in Naver.
