(2nd LD) Seoul shares plunge over 5 pct on AI regulation concerns after U.S. midterms

This will let Google show Yonhap news articles that match or are related to your search

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

SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks plunged more than 5 percent Thursday as the Democratic Party's landslide in the U.S. midterm elections sparked concerns over tighter regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) investments. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 300 points, or 5.28 percent, to close at 5,383.80.

After opening 1.82 percent lower, the index extended losses in the morning, and the bourse operator activated a sell-side sidecar at 10:16 a.m. to suspend program trading for the KOSPI-listed shares for five minutes.

Trade volume was light at 256.8 million shares worth 22.6 trillion won (US$16.8 billion), with losers beating winners 534 to 344.

Foreigners sold a net 3.39 trillion won worth of shares, while institutions and individuals scooped up a net 841.8 billion won and 2.28 trillion won, respectively.

Financial data is shown on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Nov. 5, 2026. (Yonhap)

The Democrats' victory, dubbed a "blue wave," raised concerns that the new Congress that takes control in January could tighten regulations on AI data centers, potentially affecting investment in the sector.

"The 'blue wave' hit the KOSPI, dragging down shares within the semiconductor value chains and stoking a foreign sell-off," said Kim Seok-hwan, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.

"Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress, raising concerns over tighter regulations on AI data centers and slower AI investments."

In Seoul, tech giant Samsung Electronics tumbled 7.57 percent to 201,500 won and its chipmaking rival SK hynix plummeted 9.46 percent to 1.26 million won.

Hanmi Semiconductor, a leading chip equipment maker, slumped 9.13 percent to 169,100 won, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, the electronic component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, dived 15.34 percent to 944,000 won.

With rising hopes for diplomatic solutions for wars in the Middle East and East Europe, refinery and defense shares closed in negative territory. Leading oil refinery SK Innovation sank 7.68 percent to 114,200 won, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace backtracked 7.48 percent to 680,000 won.

However, top carmaker Hyundai Motor rose 3.53 percent to 293,500 won and its sister Kia increased 5.22 percent to 100,800 won.

Leading mobile carrier SK Telecom gained 0.13 percent to 77,500 won, and internet portal operator Naver jumped 8.26 percent to 184,900 won.

The local currency was quoted at 1,342.1 won against the greenback as of 3:30 p.m., down 0.6 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 4.5 basis points to 3.669, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds dropped 6.8 basis points to 3.769.

(2nd LD) Seoul shares plunge over 5 pct on AI regulation concerns after U.S. midterms

这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章。

（注意：底部添加了债券收益率；更换了照片）

首尔，11月5日（韩联社）——由于美国民主党在中期选举中大获全胜，引发了人们对人工智能（AI）投资监管趋严的担忧，韩国股市周四暴跌逾5%。韩元兑美元汇率也随之下跌。

韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）下跌300点，跌幅5.28%，收于5383.80点。

该指数开盘下跌 1.82%，早盘跌幅扩大，交易所运营商于上午 10:16 启动卖方侧车交易，暂停 KOSPI 上市股票的程序化交易 5 分钟。

交易量清淡，为 2.568 亿股，成交额为 22.6 万亿韩元（168 亿美元），下跌股票数量超过上涨股票数量，比例为 534 比 344。

外国投资者净卖出价值 3.39 万亿韩元的股票，而机构投资者和个人投资者分别净买入价值 8418 亿韩元和 2.28 万亿韩元的股票。

2026年11月5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）

民主党的胜利被称为“蓝色浪潮”，引发了人们的担忧，即明年1月上任的新一届国会可能会收紧对人工智能数据中心的监管，这可能会影响该行业的投资。

“‘蓝色浪潮’冲击了韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI），拖累了半导体价值链中的股票，并引发了海外抛售，”未来资产证券分析师金锡焕表示。

“民主党人掌控了国会两院，这引发了人们对人工智能数据中心监管趋严和人工智能投资放缓的担忧。”

在首尔，科技巨头三星电子股价暴跌7.57%，至201500韩元；其芯片制造竞争对手SK海力士股价暴跌9.46%，至126万韩元。

领先的芯片设备制造商韩美半导体股价下跌9.13%，至169,100韩元；三星电子旗下电子元件子公司三星电机股价下跌15.34%，至944,000韩元。

随着人们对中东和东欧战争通过外交途径解决的希望日益高涨，炼油和国防类股收跌。韩国领先的炼油企业SK Innovation股价下跌7.68%，至114,200韩元；国防巨头韩华航天股价下跌7.48%，至680,000韩元。

然而，韩国顶级汽车制造商现代汽车股价上涨3.53%，至293,500韩元；其姊妹公司起亚汽车股价上涨5.22%，至100,800韩元。

韩国领先的移动运营商SK Telecom股价上涨0.13%，至77500韩元；互联网门户网站运营商Naver股价飙升8.26%，至184900韩元。

截至下午 3:30，韩元兑美元汇率为 1,342.1，较前一交易日收盘价下跌 0.6 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4.5个基点至3.669%，五年期基准政府债券收益率下跌6.8个基点至3.769%。

（第二条）美国中期选举后，受人工智能监管担忧影响，首尔股市暴跌逾5%。