FX.co ★ South Korean Shares Fall as Chip Stocks Retreat

The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.46% to close at 8,051 on Monday, erasing gains from the previous session as technology shares retreated amid renewed concerns over AI valuations. Investors weighed whether heavy spending on AI infrastructure can continue to generate robust profits after the sector’s recent rally.

Foreign and institutional investors stepped up their selling, locking in profits following this year’s strong run in the index and driving a broad-based decline across the market.

Among major movers, Samsung Electronics rose 2.75% on optimism ahead of its second-quarter earnings release, while SK hynix dropped 3.38% before its planned $29 billion Nasdaq depositary receipt listing. Other notable losers included SK Square (-5.92%), LG Energy Solution (-2.21%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-1.36%).

Meanwhile, President Lee Jae Myung ordered officials to swiftly execute the major AI and semiconductor initiatives announced last week, reaffirming the government’s continued policy support for the sector.