Gov't vows stern action against unfair practices amid heightened stock market volatility

The Korean government pledged strict action against unfair practices in the capital market in Seoul on Friday amid recent stock market volatility. Officials from four financial authorities attributed the correction in domestic and global markets to expectations of higher global interest rates, uncertainty over AI semiconductor investment and earnings, and rising oil prices. They said Korea’s economic and market fundamentals remain solid and agreed to strengthen real-time monitoring. The KOSPI fell 7.57 percent Thursday to 5,554.22, its sixth-month low, marking a seventh consecutive decline.

Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Bank of Korea, the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service attended the market review meeting.

Officials projected Korean economic growth in the 3 percent range this year and cited a substantial current account surplus and positive corporate earnings outlooks.

The officials said Korea’s stock market has been more volatile than other markets partly because of its heavy weighting in AI-related sectors.

The government and relevant agencies agreed to maintain heightened vigilance, enhance joint real-time monitoring and respond strictly to market disruptions.

Published Oct 16, 2026 10:47 am KST

An official works at Hana Bank's dealing room in Seoul, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

The Korean government on Friday pledged to take strict action against unfair practices in the capital market amid recent stock market volatility.

Officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Bank of Korea, the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service reviewed recent trends in domestic and global financial markets and discussed possible responses at a market review meeting in Seoul, according to the finance ministry.

They assessed that domestic and global stock markets are undergoing a correction phase amid expectations of rising global interest rates, uncertainty over investment and earnings prospects in the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor sector, and risk-averse sentiment stemming from rising international oil prices.

The Korean stock market has exhibited relatively higher volatility than other markets, partly due to its heavy weighting in AI-related sectors, they added.

The officials said the fundamentals of the Korean economy and stock market remain solid, with growth projected to reach the 3 percent range this year, a substantial current account surplus and positive corporate earnings outlooks.

The government and relevant agencies decided to maintain a high level of vigilance, strengthen real-time joint monitoring and respond strictly to any market disruptions, according to the finance ministry.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell for a seventh consecutive session Thursday, plunging 7.57 percent to a six-month low of 5,554.22 amid renewed concerns over excessive AI spending.

鉴于近期股市波动，韩国政府周五在首尔承诺将对资本市场的不公平行为采取严厉措施。四家金融监管机构的官员将国内外市场的调整归因于全球利率预期上升、人工智能半导体投资和收益的不确定性以及油价上涨。他们表示，韩国的经济和市场基本面依然稳健，并同意加强实时监测。韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）周四下跌7.57%，收于5554.22点，创下六个月来的新低，连续第七个月下跌。

韩国财政经济部、韩国银行、金融服务委员会和金融监督院的官员出席了市场审查会议。

官员们预测韩国今年经济增长率将在3%左右，并指出经常账户盈余可观，企业盈利前景乐观。

官员们表示，韩国股市比其他市场波动更大，部分原因是其在人工智能相关行业的权重较高。

政府和相关部门一致同意保持高度警惕，加强联合实时监测，并对市场扰乱行为采取严厉措施。

发布于2026年10月16日上午10:47（韩国标准时间）

周四，一名工作人员在首尔韩亚银行的交易室工作。（韩国时报 沈贤哲摄）

韩国政府周五承诺，鉴于近期股市波动，将对资本市场的不公平行为采取严厉措施。

据韩国财政部消息，韩国财政经济部、韩国银行、金融服务委员会和金融监督院的官员在首尔召开市场审查会议，回顾了国内外金融市场的最新趋势，并讨论了可能的应对措施。

他们评估认为，由于预期全球利率上升、人工智能半导体行业的投资和盈利前景不明朗，以及国际油价上涨导致的避险情绪，国内外股市正处于调整阶段。

他们补充说，韩国股市的波动性比其他市场相对更高，部分原因是其在人工智能相关行业的权重较大。

官员们表示，韩国经济和股市的基本面依然稳健，预计今年经济增长率将达到3%左右，经常账户盈余可观，企业盈利前景乐观。

据财政部消息，政府和相关部门决定保持高度警惕，加强实时联合监测，对任何市场扰乱行为采取严厉措施。

周四，韩国综合股价指数连续第七个交易日下跌，暴跌7.57%，至6个月低点5554.22点，原因是市场再次担忧人工智能支出过高。