South Korea's KOSPI Index Enters Bear Market After Sharp Crash
Key Facts
Amid mounting concerns over global trade tensions and the sustainability of tech sector valuations, South Korea's KOSPI index has officially entered bear market territory. According to reports, the index crashed 34% within the last 25 trading days, a decline that exceeds the historical bear market average of 33.5%. This rapid correction follows a massive bull run where the index recorded gains of 297% between April 2025 and June 2026.
This swift collapse reflects severe technical pressure following one of the strongest rallies in the Korean market's history. The current pace of decline indicates significant technical damage, especially after breaching historical support levels. These movements coincide with investors weighing tariff risks and AI-related concerns that have dampened risk appetite across Asian markets.
Regarding economic data, South Korea recorded a GDP growth rate of 3.7% YoY (as of July 22, 2026), though these figures provided little support for the index. Given the lack of major upcoming catalysts in the current calendar, focus remains on the market's ability to absorb recent selling pressure.