South Korea's KOSPI Logs Worst Week Since 2008 Financial Crisis with 14.46% Drop

Key Facts

1South Korea’s KOSPI index fell 14.46% this week, marking its worst weekly performance since the 2008 Lehman Brothers collapse.

2Major tech stocks including SK hynix and Samsung declined amid growing fears regarding AI spending sustainability.

South Korea’s KOSPI index fell 14.46% this week, marking its worst weekly performance since the 2008 Lehman Brothers collapse. Benzinga reported that the historic decline was driven by a broad retreat from tech-heavy markets as investors questioned the sustainability and scale of capital expenditures related to artificial intelligence.

Major technology stocks including Samsung and SK hynix declined during the period, with SKHY closing at $146.11 on October 15, 2026. The sell-off highlights growing regional concerns regarding the long-term viability of AI-driven growth within the semiconductor industry.