Shares of Samsung Electronics, Korea's leading semiconductor stock, fell in early trading on the 13th. Investor sentiment appeared to sour on news that U.S.-Iran talks broke down and that the United States would blockade the Strait of Hormuz.
As of 9:11 a.m. on the day, Samsung Electronics was trading at 199,800 won, down 6,200 won (3.01%) from the previous session. At the same time, SK hynix fell 1.85% to 1,008,000 won.
U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East, issued a statement on the 12th local time saying that, under a proclamation by U.S. President Donald Trump, it would begin a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports starting at 10 a.m. on the 13th (11 p.m. on the 13th Korea time).
The blockade applies equally to vessels of all countries entering and leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Earlier, after the first armistice talks with Iran collapsed, President Trump said on social media that he would initiate blockade procedures for all ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.