KOSPI Retreats After Record High on Profit-Taking, Policy Pause

2025-10-23 01:57 By Mariene Camarillo 1 min. read

The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.98% to close at 3,845 on Thursday, snapping a six-day rally and retreating from a fresh record high as investors locked in profits following overnight losses on Wall Street.

Notable losses were Samsung Electronics (-2.03%), SK Hynix (-0.73%), Hyundai Motor (-3.35%), and Doosan Enerbility (-3.29%).

Caution persisted in the market as South Korea’s trade discussions with the United States showed only partial progress.

Presidential Director of National Policy Kim Yong-beom said on Wednesday that negotiations with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had “made some progress,” but emphasized that they were “not yet at the final stage.” Ahead of the meeting, Kim noted that most issues were close to agreement, though “one or two” remained unresolved.

In monetary policy developments, the central bank left its interest rate unchanged at 2.50%, citing renewed increases in home prices and continued weakness in the won as reasons to pause further easing.



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