SEOUL, Oct. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares plunged by nearly 4 percent Tuesday, as concerns over investments in the artificial intelligence (AI) value chain sparked a sell-off in major chip shares. The Korean won was trading higher against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 215.27 points, or 3.73 percent, to 5,552.74 after declining as low as 5,493.24.
The index opened 0.6 percent lower and extended its losses amid deepening woes over AI-related sectors as well as escalating protests in France, which sharply reduced appetite for risky assets.
The KOSPI had risen for two consecutive sessions after a sharp sell-off fueled by concerns over AI-related investments. It had plunged by around 21 percent over seven trading sessions from Oct. 6 through Thursday.
Overnight, U.S. stocks ended mixed as technology shares rebounded from their steepest weekly drop since June.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 2.98 percent to close at 211,500 won, while rival chipmaker SK hynix declined 4.23 percent to 1.22 million won, heading for its lowest close since April.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,328.1 won against the U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., up 2.2 won from the previous stock trading session's close.
Financial data is shown on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Oct. 20, 2026. (Yonhap)
khj@yna.co.kr
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