South Korean Stocks Plunge 6% as Energy Crisis Triggers Trading Halt

South Korean equity markets suffered a significant sell-off on Monday, with major indices plunging 6% amid escalating concerns over surging energy costs. The intense volatility prompted the Korea Exchange (KRX) to implement a temporary trading halt to stabilize the market and protect investors. Experts identify the spike in energy prices as a grave threat to South Korea’s export-dependent economy and its globally integrated manufacturing sector. Key benchmarks, including the KOSPI and KOSDAQ, faced heavy selling pressure as investors weighed the impact of rising input costs on corporate profit margins. The market turmoil also weighed on the South Korean Won (KRW), reflecting broader economic uncertainty and potential growth deceleration. This sharp decline underscores the vulnerability of regional industrial hubs to global commodity price shocks and shifting macroeconomic outlooks.