South Korean Shares Fall on Tech Selloff

2026-08-06 01:45 By Erika Ordonez 1 min. read

The benchmark KOSPI fell 4.58% to close at 6,296 on Thursday, reversing gains from the previous session, as a selloff in global technology stocks weighed heavily on semiconductor shares.

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined sharply by 6.50% and 10.67%, respectively, after the Nasdaq retreated overnight amid profit-taking in major tech names.

Notable losses were also recorded in SK Square (-13.40%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-9.07%), Hyundai Motor (-1.73%), Doosan Enerbility (-1.17%), LS Electric (-4.48%), SK Inc (-9.79%), and LG Electronics (-2.79%).

Limiting broader losses, South Korea reported a record current account surplus of $49.73 billion in June, driven by strong semiconductor exports that reinforced the country's export outlook.

At the same time, reports of progress toward an interim transit arrangement between Iran and Oman eased concerns over disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, supporting global risk sentiment.



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