KOSPI closes after 3.7 percent slide as foreign selling deepens
Published on 10/12/2026 at 22:29 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSKey points in brief
- KOSPI closed at 6,384.24 points on October 12, down 241.69 points or 3.65 percent.
- Foreign investors sold KRW 2.02 trillion of KOSPI shares as technology stocks weakened.
- SK hynix fell 4.52 percent, while Samsung Electronics lost 4.39 percent.
- The IMF is scheduled to release its World Economic Outlook on October 13, 2026.
- Decliners outnumbered advancers 717 to 166 during the October 12 session.
KOSPI closed at 6,384.24 points on October 12, losing 241.69 points or 3.65 percent. Foreign investors sold KRW 2.02 trillion of shares as technology stocks weakened, Yonhap reported.
SK hynix fell 4.52 percent, while Samsung Electronics lost 4.39 percent. A post-market SBS analysis said foreign selling and fading support from share buybacks had deepened the decline.
Why is KOSPI down today?
The index extended its losing streak to four sessions after returning from the Hangeul Day holiday. Rising oil prices and Middle East tensions fueled inflation concerns, while the prior sell-off in U.S. technology stocks weighed on Korean chip shares, Yonhap reported.
Samsung Electronics had announced record third-quarter operating profit of KRW 107.4 trillion. That result did not prevent selling in the shares, as investors focused on foreign flows and the fading effect of company buybacks, Seoul Economic Daily reported.
KOSPI loses 6,400 as chips retreat
KOSPI opened at 6,578.17 points and fell to an intraday low of 6,368.49. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the decline, while SK Square fell 6.00 percent, SBS reported.
Decliners outnumbered advancers 717 to 166. Trading volume reached 313 million shares, with turnover of KRW 21.33 trillion, Asiae reported.
What comes next for KOSPI
On October 13, 2026, the International Monetary Fund is scheduled to release its October World Economic Outlook, including updated growth forecasts for South Korea, Seoul Economic Daily reported. The next KOSPI session starts at 9:00 a.m. KST.
