(2nd LD) Seoul stocks slide nearly 4 pct on AI jitters, unrest in France

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(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom; CHANGES photo)

SEOUL, Oct. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares plunged by nearly 4 percent Tuesday, as investors attempted to cash in recent gains in major chip shares amid persistent concerns over the artificial intelligence (AI) value chain. The Korean won was trading higher against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 215.27 points, or 3.73 percent, to 5,552.74 after declining as low as 5,493.24.

The index opened 0.6 percent lower and extended its losses amid deepening woes over AI-related sectors as well as escalating protests in France, which sharply reduced appetite for risky assets.

The KOSPI had risen for two consecutive sessions after a sharp sell-off fueled by concerns over AI-related investments. It had plunged by around 21 percent over seven trading sessions from Oct. 6 through Thursday.

Overnight, U.S. stocks ended mixed as technology shares rebounded from their steepest weekly drop since June.

Financial data is shown on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Oct. 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

"Concerns over credit risks and profitability surrounding AI investment have yet to be fully resolved, limiting the sustainability of the rebound," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities. "Profit-taking emerged following the previous session's gains, sending the market back into negative territory."

Trade volume was light at 259.75 million shares worth 16 trillion won (US$12.97 billion), with decliners far outnumbering advancers 771 to 117.

Foreigners and institutions sold a net 535.4 billion won and 1 trillion won, respectively, while individuals bought a net 900 billion won.

Market heavyweights fell across the board, led by a sharp sell-off in technology shares.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 2.98 percent to close at 211,500 won, while rival chipmaker SK hynix declined 4.23 percent to 1.22 million won, heading for its lowest close since April.

SK Square, the parent firm of SK hynix, dipped 5 percent to 741,000 won, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronics component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, went down 1.28 percent to 1.16 million won.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,328.1 won against the U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., up 2.2 won from the previous stock trading session's close.

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys lost 3.7 basis points to 3.840, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds went down 2.4 points to 3,990.

(2nd LD) Seoul stocks slide nearly 4 pct on AI jitters, unrest in France

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（注意：底部添加了债券收益率；更换了照片）

首尔，10月20日（韩联社）——周二，韩国股市暴跌近4%，投资者试图抛售近期主要芯片股的涨幅，同时对人工智能（AI）价值链的担忧持续存在。韩元兑美元汇率走高。

韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）下跌215.27点，跌幅3.73%，至5552.74点，此前一度跌至5493.24点。

该指数开盘下跌 0.6%，并因人工智能相关行业的困境加剧以及法国抗议活动升级而跌幅扩大，这导致投资者对风险资产的需求大幅下降。

受人工智能相关投资担忧引发的抛售潮影响，韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）在经历一轮大幅下跌后，已连续两个交易日上涨。此前，该指数在10月6日至周四的七个交易日内累计下跌约21%。

隔夜，美国股市涨跌互现，科技股从6月以来最大单周跌幅中反弹。

2026年10月20日，首尔市中心韩亚银行交易室内的屏幕上显示着金融数据。（韩联社）

大信证券分析师李京敏表示：“围绕人工智能投资的信用风险和盈利能力的担忧尚未完全消除，限制了反弹的可持续性。前一交易日上涨后出现获利回吐，导致市场重回下跌区间。”

交易量清淡，仅为 2.5975 亿股，成交额为 16 万亿韩元（129.7 亿美元），下跌股票数量远远超过上涨股票，比例为 771 比 117。

外国人和机构分别净卖出 5354 亿韩元和 1 万亿韩元，而个人净买入 9000 亿韩元。

市场巨头全线下跌，其中科技股遭遇暴跌。

市场风向标三星电子股价下跌 2.98%，收于 211,500 韩元；而竞争对手芯片制造商 SK 海力士股价下跌 4.23%，至 122 万韩元，有望创下 4 月以来的最低收盘价。

SK海力士的母公司SK Square股价下跌5%至741,000韩元，而三星电子的电子元件子公司三星电机股价下跌1.28%至116万韩元。

截至下午 3:30，韩元兑美元汇率为 1,328.1 韩元，较前一交易日收盘价上涨 2.2 韩元。

与收益率走势相反的债券价格收高。三年期美国国债收益率下跌3.7个基点至3.840，五年期基准政府债券收益率下跌2.4个基点至3990。

（第二部分）受人工智能前景不明朗和法国动荡局势影响，首尔股市下跌近4%。