KOSPI Plunge Shakes Global Markets as Semiconductor Stocks Tumble - 조선일보

On June 26, 2026, the KOSPI index plummeted 5.81%, triggering global market turmoil. The sharp decline was primarily driven by significant drops in large-cap semiconductor stocks such as Samsung Elect... Read original →

The KOSPI crash reflects a technical correction after excessive AI-driven capital inflows. Samsung and SK Hynix’s plunge reveals a mismatch between HBM capacity expansion and actual AI server demand growth, directly impairing equipment suppliers like Lam Research and delaying cloud infrastructure rollouts. Geopolitically, tightening export controls from the U.S., Japan, and the Netherlands—combined with South Korea’s stricter scrutiny on chip equipment exports to China—are inflating compliance costs and forcing supply chain redundancy. In response, U.S. firms like NVIDIA may accelerate alternative packaging and memory solutions in Taiwan, China, and domestic fabs, while Intel could push silicon photonics to bypass traditional memory bottlenecks. Over the next 12–24 months, investor focus will shift from 'AI at all costs' to 'AI efficiency,' favoring technologies with lower compute-per-watt costs and resilient supply chains. KOSPI is emerging as a leading sentiment gauge for global semiconductor markets.