Korean Stock Market Sees Unsteady Rebound as KOSPI and KOSDAQ Briefly Turn Negative

KOSPI’s Early Gains Shrink After 4% Surge

KOSDAQ’s Rise Also Narrows from 3% to 1% Range

"Geopolitical Uncertainty Persists... Refrain from Aggressive Trading"

The KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices, which had shown early gains on expectations of negotiations between the United States and Iran, later reversed course at times and saw their gains shrink.

On the 24th, as the New York stock market closed higher amid hopes for war negotiations between the United States and Iran, the domestic stock market also started the day with gains. Employees were working in the dealing room at the Seoul Hana Bank headquarters. On this day, the KOSPI index opened at 5,638.20, up 232.45 points (4.30%) from the previous trading day, the KOSDAQ rose 37.27 points (3.40%) to 1,134.16, and the won-dollar exchange rate began trading at 1,490.9 won, down 26.4 won. March 24, 2026, Photo by Jo Yongjun

As of 2:12 p.m. on March 24, the KOSPI was trading at 5,497.49, up 91.74 points (1.70%) from the previous day. The index had started the session with a gain of 232.45 points (4.30%) to 5,638.20, raising expectations, but the rise has since narrowed. At one point during the session, the index briefly turned negative.

By investor group, individuals and institutions were net buyers of 623.369 billion won and 420.287 billion won, respectively, while foreign investors were net sellers of 1.315659 trillion won.

By sector, most industries showed strong performance early in the session, but some sectors have since turned lower. Construction (-5.82%), securities (-1.25%), non-metallic materials (-1.24%), and machinery & equipment (-0.94%) are weak. However, insurance (+3.33%), food, beverage & tobacco (+3.21%), and pharmaceuticals (+2.82%) remain strong, along with most other sectors.

Among the top stocks by market capitalization, Samsung Electronics (+0.9%) and SK hynix (+4.2%) are maintaining their gains. LG Energy Solution (+8.2%), LG Chem (+6.9%), Celltrion (+6.2%), and Samsung SDI (+4.1%) are also strong. In contrast, Kia (-3.0%), Mirae Asset Securities (-1.9%), and Doosan Enerbility (-1.6%) are showing weakness.

At the same time, the KOSDAQ was trading at 1,110.52, up 13.63 points (1.24%), with its gains also narrowing from earlier in the session. The KOSDAQ started the day at 1,134.16, up 37.27 points (3.40%).

By investor group, foreign investors and institutions were net buyers of 135.725 billion won and 4.841 billion won, respectively, while individuals were net sellers of 107.248 billion won.

By sector, transportation equipment & parts (+3.94%), paper & wood (+3.77%), financials (+3.44%), general services (+2.60%), and publishing & media replication (+2.55%) remain strong, while construction (-1.45%), metals (-0.71%), medical & precision devices (-0.44%), and other manufacturing (-0.44%) are weak.

Among the top KOSDAQ stocks by market capitalization, Wonik IPS (+15.1%), Seojin System (+10.1%), ST Pharm (+7.3%), Alteogen (+7.2%), Robotis (+7.1%), Ecopro BM (+6.3%), and Ecopro (+5.3%) are posting strong gains. Conversely, Peptron (-5.9%), BHI (-5.7%), and HPSP (-2.4%) are declining.

Suh Sangyoung, Executive Director at Mirae Asset Securities, explained that the main reasons for the Korean stock market giving up much of its earlier gains were: first, the announcement by the Kuwaiti government that power outages had occurred in many areas due to transmission lines being damaged by Iranian attacks, which maintained a sense of uncertainty; and second, reports from Iran's Fars News Agency about U.S. and Israeli attacks on energy facilities in Isfahan and Khorramshahr.

He added, "For the time being, heightened volatility due to geopolitical uncertainties is likely to continue, so investors should refrain from aggressive trading."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.