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KOSPI falls 5% into bear market, Samsung, Hynix tumble

7/14/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

KOSPI dropped 5.35% to 7,246.79 on July 8, entering bear market territory, over 20% below its June 22 high of 9,114.55.
Samsung Electronics fell 6.3% and SK Hynix fell 5.7%, driving the index’s loss and two-thirds of its YTD gains.
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Deputy Moon Ji-sung monitor leveraged-ETF risks, noting SK Hynix’s U.S. share sale could ease pressure and Goldman Sachs has a target of 12,000 for the KOSPI.

History

Historical Context

During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, President Kim Young-sam’s government secured a $58 billion IMF rescue after the KOSPI halved from its 1996 peak, while over-leveraged chaebol such as Samsung saw shares tumble. The shock spurred sweeping banking closures and broader financial reforms, a legacy that resurfaces in today’s July 8 bear-market slide driven by Samsung and SK Hynix losses.

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Story summary

KOSPI dropped 5.35% to 7,246.79 on July 8, entering bear market territory, over 20% below its June 22 high of 9,114.55.
Samsung Electronics fell 6.3% and SK Hynix fell 5.7%, driving the index’s loss and two-thirds of its YTD gains.
Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Deputy Moon Ji-sung monitor leveraged-ETF risks, noting SK Hynix’s U.S. share sale could ease pressure and Goldman Sachs has a target of 12,000 for the KOSPI.

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