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Events / Business / KOSPI plunges 5.72% on Mideast tensions
Business market crash

KOSPI plunges 5.72% on Mideast tensions

Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Jul 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026

Sentiment
-60
Attention
4
Articles
7
Market Impact
General
Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the Ergen Dashboard
Market Impact

The KOSPI's sharp decline reflects heightened risk aversion due to geopolitical tensions and sector-specific concerns. The semiconductor sector, a key driver of the Korean economy, faces headwinds from a potential peak in the super cycle, while bio stocks provide a rare bright spot.

semiconductors automotive biotechnology
Event Summary

On July 24, 2026, South Korea's KOSPI index fell 406.27 points (5.72%) to 6,690.62, triggering a five-minute halt in program trading. The sell-off was driven by escalating Middle East tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a massive attack on Iran, and a bearish semiconductor outlook from Morgan Stanley. Foreign and institutional investors net sold 5.2 trillion won, while retail investors bought 5.18 trillion won. Major tech stocks like Samsung Electronics (-7.59%) and SK Hynix (-8.34%) led declines, while bio stocks such as Samsung Biologics — Samsung Biologics America (+10.08%) and Celltrion (+3.14%) rose on strong earnings. The Korean won edged up 0.2 won to 1,466.6 per dollar.

Key Actions
100 KOSPI ended down 9%
90 Samsung Electronics declined
85 SK Hynix inched up
80 Donald Trump threatened to hit Iran
75 Samsung Biologics — Samsung Biologics America rose 10.08%
70 Hyundai Motor Company slid 7.18%
60 Morgan Stanley warned of continued weakness
50 Celltrion advanced 3.14%
40 KB Financial Group inched down 2.72%
35 HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell
30 South Korea — South Korean won strengthened
Entities Involved
index
KOSPI
The KOSPI fell 5.72%, its largest drop in months, reflecting broad market panic.
Importance 100.0 Sentiment -60.0
stock
Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics tumbled 7.59% due to chip sector concerns and broad sell-off.
Importance 90.0 Sentiment -70.0
per
Donald Trump
Trump's threat of a massive attack on Iran escalated Middle East tensions, contributing to the market sell-off.
Importance 80.0 Sentiment -70.0
stock
SK Hynix
SK Hynix dropped 8.34%, hit by semiconductor sector worries.
Importance 80.0 Sentiment -75.0
cnt
Iran
Iran is the target of Trump's threats, heightening geopolitical risk.
Importance 70.0 Sentiment -60.0
subs
Samsung Biologics — Samsung Biologics America
Samsung Biologics — Samsung Biologics America surged 10.08% on robust earnings, bucking the downtrend.
Importance 70.0 Sentiment 80.0
stock
Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company slid 7.18% amid market-wide decline.
Importance 60.0 Sentiment -60.0
stock
Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley's bearish outlook on the chip sector added pressure on tech stocks.
Importance 50.0 Sentiment -30.0
stock
Celltrion
Celltrion advanced 3.14%, benefiting from positive bio sector sentiment.
Importance 50.0 Sentiment 60.0
stock
KB Financial Group
KB Financial inched down 2.72%, relatively resilient.
Importance 40.0 Sentiment -30.0
priv
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries retreated 2.51%.
Importance 30.0 Sentiment -30.0
curr
South Korea — South Korean won
The won strengthened slightly by 0.2 won against the dollar.
Importance 30.0 Sentiment 10.0
curr
United States — United States dollar
The dollar weakened slightly against the won.
Importance 20.0 Sentiment 0.0
stock
Daishin Securities
Analyst Lee Kyoung-min from Daishin Securities commented on the market volatility.
Importance 20.0 Sentiment 0.0
per
Lee Kyoung-min
Analyst Lee Kyoung-min provided market commentary.
Importance 10.0 Sentiment 0.0
Relationships
KOSPI index ↔ Samsung Electronics The KOSPI index is heavily weighted by Samsung Electronics, which serves as its largest and most influential constituent
KOSPI related ↔ Donald Trump
KOSPI tracks constituent ↔ SK Hynix KOSPI tracks the performance of SK Hynix as one of its major constituent stocks, with SK Hynix's movements significantly
KOSPI related ↔ Iran
KOSPI related ↔ Hyundai Motor Company
KOSPI related ↔ Morgan Stanley
Samsung Electronics related ↔ Donald Trump
Samsung Electronics competitor ↔ SK Hynix Samsung Electronics is a global leader in memory chip manufacturing, directly competing with SK Hynix in the DRAM and HB
Samsung Electronics related ↔ Iran
Samsung Electronics related ↔ Hyundai Motor Company
Samsung Electronics related ↔ Morgan Stanley
Donald Trump related ↔ SK Hynix
Donald Trump adversary ↔ Iran Donald Trump, as the President of the United States, is Iran's primary adversary, having initiated and directed military
Donald Trump related ↔ Hyundai Motor Company
Donald Trump related ↔ Morgan Stanley
+ 5 more relationships View on Dashboard
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