Foreign investors pull $20 bln from Korean markets Sept SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) — Foreign investors pulled nearly $20 billion from South Korean stocks and bonds in September, more than quadrupling the previous month's outflow as withdrawals broadened across both markets. Net foreign portfolio outflows reached $19.97 billion, compared with $4.50 billion in August, according to data released Friday by the Bank of Korea (BOK). Equity funds swung back to a net outflow of $14.16 billion after a marginal $40 million inflow in Augu October 16, 2026

KOSPI rebounds nearly 3% after seven-day rout SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) — After an epic 20-percent slide in just seven trading sessions, Seoul shares finally reversed direction as local players turned to the two chip majors for bargain hunting. The benchmark KOSPI stood at 5,704.91 as of 10 a.m., up 2.71 percent from Thursday’s close of 5,554.22. It opened 1.80 percent higher at 5,653.99 and extended its gains. The rebound offered some relief after seven consecutive sessions of losses that wiped about 20 percent of October 16, 2026

Seoul fails to fully sell second tax-friendly public stock fund SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) —In contrast to overwhelming demand for the inaugural offering in May, South Korea failed to fully sell the second batch of its tax-deductible public equity fund, according to the Financial Services Commission on Thursday. The latest offering raised 519.8 billion won ($387.5 million), or 86.6 percent of its 600 billion won target, over 10 trading days from Sept. 30 to Oct. 15, the FSC said. The first offering in May was fully subscribed within six tr October 16, 2026

Korean bonds join global safe-haven rally on equity rout SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) — An equity rout driven by concerns over AI overspending is steering investors toward government bonds in Seoul and other major markets despite stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation and the prospect of a prolonged monetary tightening cycle. The three-year Korean government bond yield closed Thursday 1.6 basis points lower at 3.867 percent, while the 10-year yield fell 6.8 basis points to 4.193 percent, its lowest since Aug. 5. The 20-year and 30-year October 15, 2026

KOSPI plunges over 7% as chip rout triggers trading halts SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - South Korean stocks plunged more than 7 percent on Thursday, triggering circuit breakers in both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ. The benchmark KOSPI tumbled 7.57 percent to close at 5,554.22, marking its steepest decline since July 28. The index extended its losing streak to seven consecutive sessions, shedding 21 percent over the period. The selloff came as U.S. inflation concerns and renewed doubts about the profitability of artificial intelligence (AI)-led inve October 15, 2026

To sell or not to sell, that is the question in Seoul SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) — South Korean retail investors are caught between a market tailspin and faint hopes of a repeat of the first-half rally as mounting losses make it increasingly costly and painful to unwind stock positions financed by more than 34 trillion won ($25.22 billion) in borrowed money. The 7.6-percent crash on Thursday extended the KOSPI’s losses to over 20 percent across seven consecutive sessions, leaving investors who borrowed to chase the rally facin October 15, 2026

KOSPI retreats to April levels under 5,600 SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) -The rout in Seoul deepened Thursday as the KOSPI and smaller KOSDAQ both lost more than 7 percent intraday, sliding back to April levels amid relentless foreign selling. The mood was grim, with declining stocks overwhelming gainers 840 to 64 on the main board. As of 11:20 a.m., the KOSPI had clawed back to 5,605.10, down 6.75 percent after retreating to 5,534.24 earlier in the session. Chip bellwethers buckled under the selling pressure. SK hynix tumbled October 15, 2026

KOSPI plunges 5% on US inflation, AI selloff SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) — South Korean stocks plunged more than 5 percent at the open Thursday as heavy foreign selling battered semiconductor shares, following stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation data. A sharp overnight selloff in artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks also weighed on sentiment. The benchmark KOSPI stood at 5,687.84, down 5.34 percent, while the KOSDAQ dropped 5.48 percent to 778.72 as of 9:12 a.m. Foreign investors sold a net 355.6 billion won ($26 October 15, 2026

Foreign selling hits seventh session, capping Seoul rebound attempt SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) -Earlier 2.6 percent rebound of the KOSPI gave ground as foreign selling piled in, sending Seoul's main index fragily retaining 6,000 mark Wednesday. The KOSPI slipped 6.5 points or 0.1 percent to 6,028.8, its sixth consecutive decline. Chip shares gave up their morning gains in the afternoon after Dutch equipment maker ASML reported quarterly results. Foreign investors net sold 893.8 billion won ($667.9 million) of KOSPI shares. The tech-heavy KOS October 14, 2026

KOSPI sees modest rebound as foreign investors keep selling SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - South Korean stocks pared an early rebound Wednesday morning as foreign investors extended their selling and gains in chip heavyweights faded, after the benchmark jumped more than 2 percent shortly after the market opened. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) stood at 6,063.71 as of around 10:20 a.m., up 28.36 points or 0.47 percent from the previous session. The index had surged more than 2 percent shortly after the open as bargain hu October 14, 2026