KOSPI erases an entire year’s worth of South Korean GDP

KOSPI's 8% plunge and 40% drawdown from June erase over $2 trillion, exceeding South Korea's annual GDP and National Pension assets. Samsung and SK Hynix, roughly half the index, drive 70% of losses, underscoring concentrated AI-chip risk. The circuit-breaker halt and emergency regulatory meeting signal systemic stress, likely pressuring Asian equities, semiconductor-linked assets and broader risk sentiment near term.