KOSPI Plummets 6% as AI Shock Erodes 5,000 Mark

The Chosun Ilbo · Choi Hyung-seok · 2026-11-06 15:41 UTC

KOSPI Plummets 6% as AI Shock Erodes 5,000 Mark Emergency Measures Eased as Index Breaches 5,000 for First Time in Nine Months

The shockwaves from the U.S.-originated sell-off in AI (artificial intelligence) tech stocks hit South Korea’s stock market.

On the 6th, the KOSPI plummeted over 8% immediately after opening, falling to the 4,911 level, before closing 6.02% lower at 5,059.69, barely clinging to the 5,000 mark. This was the first time the KOSPI fell below 5,000 during trading hours since February 6, nine months ago. Samsung Electronics dropped 6.35%, and SK Hynix plummeted 10.44%. Foreign investors net-sold 2.69 trillion Korean won worth of KOSPI stocks, while institutions, including the National Pension Service, net-bought 1.709 trillion Korean won.

Asian markets also wobbled. Japan (-5.96%) and Taiwan (-4.51%) saw sharp declines, with China and Hong Kong also falling over 1%. On the previous day, the 5th, the KOSPI had already tumbled over 5% due to growing concerns over regulations on AI data centers following the U.S. midterm elections. The index lost approximately 11% in just two days.

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