The KOSPI Composite Index fell 5.96% to close at 5,252 on Monday, extending last week’s losses as oil topped $100 a barrel amid concerns of a prolonged Middle East conflict, stoking inflation fears. The drop comes as the US-Israeli war with Iran entered its second week with no clear resolution, while major Middle Eastern oil producers cut output and shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain halted. The Korea Exchange again activated a sidecar trading curb in the premarket, pausing program trading for five minutes amid heightened futures volatility. Semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the declines, tumbling 7.81% and 9.52%, respectively, while other notable losers included Hyundai Motor (-8.32%), LG Energy Solution (-4.77%), SK Square (-7.96%), Kia Corporation (-8.14%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-3.17%).

South Korea's main stock market index, the KOSPI, fell to 5252 points on March 9, 2026, losing 5.96% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 0.94%, though it remains 104.32% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from South Korea. Historically, the South Korea Stock Market reached an all time high of 6347.41 in February of 2026. South Korea Stock Market - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on March 9 of 2026.

South Korea's main stock market index, the KOSPI, fell to 5252 points on March 9, 2026, losing 5.96% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has declined 0.94%, though it remains 104.32% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks this benchmark index from South Korea. The South Korea Stock Market is expected to trade at 5512.37 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 4533.80 in 12 months time.



Indexes Price Day Month Year Date
KOSPI 5,251.87 -333.00 -5.96% -0.94% 104.32% Mar/09



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
South Korea Inflation Rate 2.00 2.00 percent Feb 2026
South Korea Interest Rate 2.50 2.50 percent Mar 2026
South Korea Unemployment Rate 3.00 3.30 percent Jan 2026

South Korea Stock Market
The Korea Stock Exchange Composite KOSPI is a major stock market index which tracks the performance of all common shares listed on the Korean Stock Exchange. It is a capitalization-weighted index. The KOSPI Index has a base value of 100 as of January 4, 1980. The KOSPI is a major stock market index which tracks the performance of large companies based in South Korea. The prices displayed in Trading Economics are based on over-the-counter (OTC) and contract for difference (CFD) financial instruments. Please visit https://global.krx.co.kr/ for official data and contact https://english.koscom.co.kr if you need to have a market data license.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5251.87 5584.87 6347.41 115.25 1983 - 2026 points Daily

Market Data Coverage: South Korea

News Stream
South Korean Shares Drop as Oil Prices Surge
The KOSPI Composite Index fell 5.96% to close at 5,252 on Monday, extending last week’s losses as oil topped $100 a barrel amid concerns of a prolonged Middle East conflict, stoking inflation fears. The drop comes as the US-Israeli war with Iran entered its second week with no clear resolution, while major Middle Eastern oil producers cut output and shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain halted. The Korea Exchange again activated a sidecar trading curb in the premarket, pausing program trading for five minutes amid heightened futures volatility. Semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the declines, tumbling 7.81% and 9.52%, respectively, while other notable losers included Hyundai Motor (-8.32%), LG Energy Solution (-4.77%), SK Square (-7.96%), Kia Corporation (-8.14%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-3.17%).
2026-03-09
South Korean Shares End Nearly Flat
The benchmark KOSPI ended nearly flat at 5,585 on Friday, as easing oil prices helped stabilize sentiment after early losses. Global crude benchmarks including Brent crude oil and West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated slightly after surging above $80 earlier in the week on escalating tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The pullback in oil prices eased immediate concerns about energy-driven inflation, offering some support to equities. However, gains remained limited as geopolitical risks in the Middle East continued to cloud the outlook for global energy supply, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, authorities in South Korea said they would closely monitor financial and energy market volatility and take preemptive measures if needed, as rising fuel prices risk adding to inflationary pressures. Losses were led by Samsung Electronics (-1.77%), SK hynix (-2.13%), and SK Square (-2.47%), while Hyundai Motor (0.55%) and LG Energy Solution (1.35%) edged higher.
2026-03-06
South Korean Shares Slide on Oil Surge
The benchmark KOSPI fell more than 2% to around 5,450 on Friday, retreating after a sharp rebound in the previous session as rising oil prices and weaker global risk sentiment weighed on the market. Escalating conflict involving Iran heightened fears of potential disruptions to energy supplies in the Middle East, sending crude prices sharply higher. The spike in oil prices raised concerns about renewed inflation pressures, particularly for energy-importing economies such as South Korea. Domestically, authorities also raised an energy supply alert as the government moved to monitor fuel markets more closely amid the recent surge in global oil prices. Additionally, losses on Wall Street added to the cautious mood across Asian markets, with major US indexes falling more than 1% overnight as investors shifted away from riskier assets. Heavyweight stocks declined, including Samsung Electronics (-3.9%) and SK hynix (-4.4%), alongside SK Square (-6.0%) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-2.3%).
2026-03-06