The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.2% to around 5,475 on Monday, extending losses from the previous session, as rising geopolitical tensions and currency volatility weighed on investor sentiment. Escalating conflict in the Middle East continued to pressure markets, pushing Brent crude oil above $100 per barrel after US strikes on Iranian military targets near the key export hub on Kharg Island. The surge in oil prices heightened concerns about inflation and growth risks for energy-importing economies such as South Korea. The Korean currency also added to market unease after the won briefly weakened past the 1,500-per-dollar level for the first time since 2009 before trimming losses, reflecting persistent pressure from the oil shock and risk-off flows in global markets. Meanwhile, major semiconductor stocks provided some support, with Samsung Electronics (+1.4%) and SK hynix (+3.5%) advancing on continued demand for artificial intelligence-linked memory chips.
