Amid heavy selling by foreign investors, the KOSPI index widened its intraday losses on the 19th, sliding to the 7,100 level. Foreign investors have been net sellers of 38 trillion won over nine trading days.
As of 11:10 a.m., the KOSPI index was trading at 7,162.32, down 353.72 points (4.71%) from the previous session. The index, which opened at 7,425.66, is deepening its intraday decline. While 90 stocks are rising, 803 are falling.
Foreign investors are leading the decline as they post more than 3 trillion won in net selling. Individuals are absorbing 3 trillion won to defend against the drop in the index, but it appears insufficient.
As negotiations between the United States and Iran struggle and high oil prices persist, U.S. Government Bonds yields have remained elevated, which is seen as strengthening foreign investors' aversion to risk asset.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 18th (local time) on the social media platform Truth Social that he was asked by key Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to hold off on military attacks, saying, "I instructed that the attack on Iran scheduled for tomorrow (the 19th) not be carried out," but added, "I further instructed that, if an acceptable agreement is not reached, preparations be made immediately for a full-scale and massive attack on Iran."
Brent crude closed high near $110 per barrel, and the U.S. 10-year Government Bonds yield fell slightly from the previous day but is still holding at a high 4.59%. On foreign selling, the won-dollar exchange rate has now topped 1,500 won.
By stock, technology names such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix fell more than 4%, retreating to "2.6 million Electronics" and "1.7 million Hynix," respectively. Notably, Hyundai Motor, which had traded up to 700,000 won on expectations for physical artificial intelligence (AI), plunged nearly 10% intraday, giving up the 600,000 won level. On the possibility of the United States and Iran reigniting war, Hanwha Aerospace alone is up more than 4%.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index was trading at 1,064.59, down 46.50 points (4.19%) from the previous session. It attempted to rise early in the session, but foreign investors are dragging the index lower with 63.5 billion won in net selling. Individuals and institutions are net buying 71.8 billion won and 40.2 billion won, respectively.
Rainbow Robotics is tumbling 11%, deepening losses, and top-cap stocks are falling in the 3%–4% range.