KOSPI
₩5,385
-2.68%
Korean Stock Market (KRX)
KOSPI leans on semiconductors, autos, and shipbuilders, a high-beta Asia proxy for global tech cycles. Key indices: KOSPI. Currency KRW. Dynamic local desks cover markets, politics, technology, disaster & climate, and macro catalysts.
0Stocks up
1Stocks down
-2.68%Average % change
Market hours
Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney are open.
- Seoul09:49 localOpen
- Tokyo09:49 localOpen
- Hong Kong08:49 localClosed
- New York20:49 localClosed
- London01:49 localClosed
- Shanghai08:49 localClosed
- Mumbai06:19 localClosed
- Sydney11:49 localOpen
- Singapore08:49 localClosed
Key index
Live delayedLive delayed quotes · as of Oct 23, 2026, 12:29 AM · CNBC
Most increased
Top 5 session advances in this market view. Delayed quotes.
Featured equities
Regional blue chips for this market view. Tap for a quote page.
Toyota¥3,102+0.58%Sony¥4,134+1.30%SoftBank¥4,015-6.74%Keyence¥78,520-2.29%MUFG¥3,246-3.77%Shin-Etsu¥5,749-0.95%TencentHK$382.40+0.00%AlibabaHK$97.35+0.00%MeituanHK$71.30+0.00%BHPA$55.03-3.68%Commonwealth BankA$161.42+2.70%Samsungdemo₩7,344.69-0.64%Infosys$13.22+3.69%ICICI Bank$29.94+1.35%HDFC Bank$22.44-1.01%Wipro$2.19+1.86%
South Korea exchange desk
Official boardLocal exchange parameters, six currency pairs versus majors, and best-performing stocks by selectable period.
Exchange parameters
- Exchange
- KRX · Korea Exchange
- Benchmark
- KOSPI
- Session
- Seoul · Open · 09:49
- Hours
- -
- Timezone
- Asia/Seoul
- Currency
- KRW
Currency board
US dollar vs KRW
USD/KRW
FX feed unavailable
Euro vs KRW
EUR/KRW
FX feed unavailable
British pound vs KRW
GBP/KRW
FX feed unavailable
Japanese yen vs KRW
JPY/KRW
FX feed unavailable
Australian dollar vs KRW
AUD/KRW
FX feed unavailable
Swiss franc vs KRW
CHF/KRW
FX feed unavailable
South Korea local desk
KOSPI leans on semiconductors, autos, and shipbuilders, a high-beta Asia proxy for global tech cycles.
KOSPI
Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney open
- KRXKorea Exchange
Official sites open in a new tab. Index quotes on StockWatch are delayed or demo when a live feed is thin. Confirm on the exchange before you act.
South Korea impact news
Markets, politics, technology, disaster & climate, macro, and economic drivers - flip stories with the arrows. Each item includes impact analysis and related stocks. Articles open in a popup or new tab.
Markets
Equities, exchanges, earnings, and local banking tape.
Mostly neutralMedium impact
Asia session news often leads overnight risk.
Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
- AI/chip headlines reprice growth leaders and suppliers. Watch NVDA, AMD, AVGO, .IXIC on the tape. AI and semiconductor stories often move mega-cap tech, chip designers, and equipment makers first. Broader indices follow when the names are heavyweights or when spending outlooks ch…
Wall Street ticks higher after SpaceX jumps and AI stocks steady
- AI/chip headlines reprice growth leaders and suppliers. Watch .IXIC, .SPX, NVDA, AMD on the tape. AI and semiconductor stories often move mega-cap tech, chip designers, and equipment makers first. Broader indices follow when the names are heavyweights or when spending outlooks ch…
AI jitters clobber South Korea's Elice as stock sinks 32% in trading debut
- AI/chip headlines reprice growth leaders and suppliers. Watch NVDA, AMD, AVGO, .IXIC on the tape. AI and semiconductor stories often move mega-cap tech, chip designers, and equipment makers first. Broader indices follow when the names are heavyweights or when spending outlooks ch…
South Korea's stock market is flashing another warning about the AI trade
Politics
Elections, government, and policy that can move risk.
Mixed for stocksHigh impact
Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel.
Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Adoptees from Korea say they were abused and isolated in the US. Were they also ‘stolen’ from their birth parents?
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
How to Fix South Korea-Ukraine Relations - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch BBC, .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Celebrity shark guided out of South Korea canal refuses to swim out to sea
Technology
Tech, AI, digital infrastructure, and startups.
Mixed for stocksMedium impact
AI/chip headlines reprice growth leaders and suppliers.
AI and semiconductor stories often move mega-cap tech, chip designers, and equipment makers first. Broader indices follow when the names are heavyweights or when spending outlooks change for cloud/hyperscalers. On the South Korea desk, watch 005930.KS for spillover.
- Asia session news often leads overnight risk. Watch .N225, .HSI, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
South Korea's Lee bets $1tn on Gwangju as future tech hub
- Asia session news often leads overnight risk. Watch .N225, .HSI, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
The Facade of Complementarity: The Threat That Sino-Korean Tech Cooperation Poses for Seoul
- Regulatory pressure can weigh on platforms and deal premiums. Watch 035420.KS, AAPL, MSFT, GOOGL on the tape. Antitrust and regulatory probes raise uncertainty for mega-cap platforms, deal timelines, and sector multiples. Peers can sell off in sympathy even without direct involve…
CPI | South Korea Weighs Antitrust Curbs as Naver-Dunamu Deal Stalls
Disaster & climate
Weather, outages, and disruption risks for markets.
Mixed for stocksHigh impact
China headlines swing Asia and China-exposed global stocks.
China policy/growth news often moves Hang Seng and Asia risk first, then US-listed China ADRs, materials, and luxury. Global indices react more when the story changes commodity demand or USD/CNY sharply.
- Asia session news often leads overnight risk. Watch .N225, .HSI, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
Typhoon Champi Threatens South Korea After 12-Year Gap
- Asia session news often leads overnight risk. Watch .N225, .HSI, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
Jeju-do wildfires map
- Asia session news often leads overnight risk. Watch .N225, .HSI, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
Stormy weekend looms as Super Typhoon Champi moves north
Macro & policy
Inflation, rates, FX, fiscal, and central-bank news.
Mixed for stocksMedium impact
Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel.
Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch UA, NEWS, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
South Korea sets record bonds for Chinese vessels — Korea Herald
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch WSJ, .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Bank of Korea Holds Rate Steady After Back-to-Back Hikes
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Bank of Korea holds rates, upbeat outlook points to future hikes
Economic drivers
Industries and sectors that contribute most to GDP and export income.
Mostly neutralMedium impact
IPO news is usually stock-specific.
IPO pricing and first-day trading mostly affect the issuer and close comps. Broader market impact is limited unless the deal is very large or signals risk appetite for growth listings.
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Korea’s manufacturing edge faces a defining decade
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Sartori Cheese Boosts Wisconsin Dairy Exports to South Korea with Coupang
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Burckhardt wins hydrogen compressor orders for Taiwan, South Korea chipmaking
Live wire
More headlines impacting South Korea
- IPO news is usually stock-specific. Watch .IXIC, .SPX on the tape. IPO pricing and first-day trading mostly affect the issuer and close comps. Broader market impact is limited unless the deal is very large or signals risk appetite for growth listings.
South Korea says Solidigm IPO would face dual-listing rules
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Student suicides in South Korea rise 26% over four years
- AI/chip headlines reprice growth leaders and suppliers. Watch 005930.KS, NVDA, AMD, AVGO on the tape. AI and semiconductor stories often move mega-cap tech, chip designers, and equipment makers first. Broader indices follow when the names are heavyweights or when spending outlook…
South Korea's Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Nvidia expand AI partnership
- Asia session news often leads overnight risk. Watch .N225, .HSI, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
South Korea's Lee bets $1tn on Gwangju as future tech hub
- Asia session news often leads overnight risk. Watch .N225, .HSI, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
The Facade of Complementarity: The Threat That Sino-Korean Tech Cooperation Poses for Seoul
- Regulatory pressure can weigh on platforms and deal premiums. Watch 035420.KS, AAPL, MSFT, GOOGL on the tape. Antitrust and regulatory probes raise uncertainty for mega-cap platforms, deal timelines, and sector multiples. Peers can sell off in sympathy even without direct involve…
CPI | South Korea Weighs Antitrust Curbs as Naver-Dunamu Deal Stalls
- Asia session news often leads overnight risk. Watch .N225, .HSI, .SPX, .IXIC on the tape. Tokyo/HK/China headlines can set the overnight tape. US futures and ADR names often catch up at the New York open - related quotes help show whether the move is already underway.
Rockefeller Chairman Criticizes South Korea’s Stock Market Targets
- China headlines swing Asia and China-exposed global stocks. Watch .HSI, .N225, BABA, .SPX on the tape. China policy/growth news often moves Hang Seng and Asia risk first, then US-listed China ADRs, materials, and luxury. Global indices react more when the story changes commodity…
Super Typhoon Champi, one of the strongest storms this year, will impact Taiwan, China and Japan
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Adoptees from Korea say they were abused and isolated in the US. Were they also ‘stolen’ from their birth parents?
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
Korea’s manufacturing edge faces a defining decade
- Macro release - stocks react through the rates channel. Watch .SPX, .IXIC, .FTSE, @CL.1 on the tape. Inflation, jobs, and growth prints reprice the policy path. Equity direction often mirrors whether yields rise or fall with the print. Use index quotes as the quick impact gauge.
How to Fix South Korea-Ukraine Relations - The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine
- Crypto moves spill into risk appetite and crypto proxies. Watch GOAT, MOU, BTC.CM=, COIN on the tape. Large BTC/ETH swings can move crypto-exposed equities and sometimes broader risk sentiment. Treat single-coin headlines as high-beta risk signals unless equity indices also break…
Square Tech and GOAT Network Sign MOU to Advance AI Agent-Powered Stablecoin Payments in South Korea
Impacting data & catalysts
Macro, geopolitics, disasters, tech, and earnings that can spill into South Korea risk. Local where tagged, plus high-relevance worldwide prints.
Macro / policy
Intraday macro data / speech risk windowFri, Oct 23
Hawkish surprises usually lift yields and pressure growth stocks; dovish tones often support the Nasdaq complex.
Tech release
Major smartphone / AI device launch windowSat, Oct 24
Strong attach rates for AI features tend to support the OEM and semiconductor suppliers; weak demand talk can reverse that quickly.
Disaster / disruption
Global shipping chokepoint disruption watchSun, Oct 25
Longer transit times usually pressure logistics margins and some retailers; tanker and freight names may firm.
Macro / policy
South Korea export / chip cycle dataFri, Oct 30
Strong chip exports are typically supportive for KOSPI tech; soft prints weigh on memory and foundry peers.
Macro / policy
- Fri, Oct 23Intraday macro data / speech risk window
- Fri, Oct 30South Korea export / chip cycle data
Geopolitical risk
- Sat, Oct 31Trade / export-control policy checkpoint
Disaster / disruption
- Sun, Oct 25Global shipping chokepoint disruption watch
Tech release
- Sat, Oct 24Major smartphone / AI device launch window
- Mon, Nov 2Autonomous / EV software update cycle
Fri, Oct 23, 2026Macro / policyhigh impact
Intraday macro data / speech risk window
Same-day Fed speak, flash PMIs, or surprise data can swing rates and the equity complex before the close.
Sat, Oct 24, 2026Tech releasemedium impact
Major smartphone / AI device launch window
Hardware and AI-assistant unveilings can move the lead OEM, key suppliers, and competing platform names.
Sun, Oct 25, 2026Disaster / disruptionmedium impact
Global shipping chokepoint disruption watch
Red Sea / canal rerouting risk can lift freight rates and delay inventory for retailers and industrials.
Live earnings dates come from Finnhub when an API key is configured; other rows are illustrations. Verify against primary filings and calendars.
South Korea country info
Key financial and economic indicators at a glance.
- Population
- 52 million
- GDP (2024)
- $1.72 trillion
- Economic growth
- 2.2% (2024 est.)
- National debt
- KRW 1,127 trillion
- Debt-to-GDP ratio
- 49%
- Inflation rate
- 2.3%
- Key interest rate
- 3.00%
- Credit rating
- Aa2 / AA (Moody's / S&P)
- Central bank
- Bank of Korea
- Finance minister
- Choi Sang-mok
- Next election due
- Presidential election in ~30 months (Mar 2027)
Leading banks
- KB Financial
- Shinhan Financial
- Hana Financial
- Woori Financial
- NH Investment
Market holidays
Upcoming sessions when the main equity market is typically closed.
- Chuseok holidays6–8 Oct 2026
- Hangul Day9 Oct 2026
- Christmas Day25 Dec 2026
- New Year's Day1 Jan 2026
Economy by sector
Main areas contributing to South Korea's GDP (2024), with best-performing related stocks this session.
- Services57.3%
- Industry39.2%
- Agriculture1.6%
- Construction1.9%
- Services57.3%
Best performing
Financial opportunities in South Korea
Investment themes, emerging sectors, and government-backed projects shaping the market.
Investment areas & markets
- Semiconductors
Samsung and SK Hynix dominate global memory; government subsidies target next-gen logic and HBM fabs.
- K-content & entertainment
K-pop, K-drama, and gaming (Krafton, NCSoft) form a cultural export powerhouse.
- Shipbuilding & defense
HD Hyundai, Hanwha Ocean, and Korea Aerospace drive a global defense and shipbuilding surge.
Emerging investment markets
- EV batteries
LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On compete globally in EV battery gigafactory expansion.
- Bio & pharma
Samsung Biologics and Celltrion lead biosimilar CDMO capacity; innovative drug pipelines are growing.
Government projects
- K-Chips Act
Tax incentives and subsidies for semiconductor mega-clusters in Yongin and Pyeongtaek.
- Korean New Deal 2.0
Digital transformation, green infrastructure, and social safety net investments.
Financial regulations & law
Official regulators, market rules, restricted areas, and key legislation for South Korea · Financial Services Commission (FSC) / Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).
Financial regulations
- FSC / FSS
Policy and supervisory authorities for Korean financial markets.
- Bank of Korea
Monetary policy authority.
Market rules
- KRX listing regulations
KOSPI / KOSDAQ listing and disclosure rules.
Prohibited & restricted areas
- Foreign investment restricted industries
Some media, defence, and strategic industries have foreign ownership limits.
- Insider trading ban
Trading on undisclosed material information is prohibited.
Important legislation
- Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act
Core capital markets statute.
- Commercial Act / Banking Act
Corporate and banking frameworks.
How the South Korea market works
A short primer for researching this hub on StockWatch.
Market overview
Korea's KOSPI is a high-beta Asia tech and industrials proxy. Semiconductors, autos, and shipbuilders transmit the global cycle quickly.
Exchanges & session
KRX hours open the Northeast Asian day. Chip prices and USD/KRW often lead the open.
What traders watch
- Memory chip cycle and foundry commentary
- USD/KRW and foreign flow headlines
- Auto and battery export demand
Explore on StockWatch
Top South Korea names
ScreenerBlue-chip and widely followed equities. Open a quote for charts, stats, and news.
Upcoming in South Korea
Full calendarLocal catalysts over the next two weeks · live earnings mixed into the global desk.
Fri, Oct 30, 2026Macro / policyLocalmedium impact
South Korea export / chip cycle data
Korean export prints are a high-frequency read on global electronics demand.
Live earnings dates come from Finnhub when an API key is configured; other rows are illustrations. Verify against primary filings and calendars.
More in Asia-Pacific
Explore neighboring market hubs.