Seoul shares sharply down late Thursday morning as US midterm results spark AI woes

South Korean stocks fell sharply in Seoul late Thursday morning as investors worried that the new U.S. Congress could tighten regulations on AI data centers after the midterm elections. The KOSPI dropped 185.77 points, or 3.27 percent, to 5,498.03 as of 11:20 a.m. Semiconductor shares led the declines, while the Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.

The KOSPI opened 1.82 percent lower before extending its losses.

Samsung Electronics fell 5.05 percent, SK hynix dropped 6.52 percent and Hanmi Semiconductor plunged 7.58 percent.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics declined 10.04 percent, SK Innovation lost 5.9 percent and Hanwha Aerospace fell 4.76 percent.

The Korean won traded at 1,342.15 per U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 0.65 won from the previous session’s close.

Major U.S. stock indexes finished higher overnight as investors welcomed the Democrats-led Congress.

Published Nov 5, 2026 9:41 am KST

Updated Nov 5, 2026 11:56 am KST

A screen at the dealing room of Hana Bank’s headquarters in central Seoul shows the KOSPI indices, Thursday. Yonhap

South Korean stocks traded sharply lower late Thursday morning as investors were worried about the future of U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) policies after the midterm elections.

After opening 1.82 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended losses, dropping 185.77 points, or 3.27 percent, to 5,498.03 as of 11:20 a.m.

Overnight on Wall Street, major stock indexes finished higher as investors welcomed the Democrats-led Congress.

However, the election outcome raised concerns that the new House and Senate would tighten regulations on AI data centers.

In Seoul, semiconductor shares traded in negative territory.

Tech giant Samsung Electronics sank 5.05 percent, and SK hynix tumbled 6.52 percent.

Hanmi Semiconductor, a leading chip equipment maker, plunged 7.58 percent, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, the electronic component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, dived 10.04 percent.

Leading oil refinery SK Innovation lost 5.9 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace fell 4.76 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,342.15 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 0.65 won from the previous stock trading session's close.

周四上午晚些时候，韩国股市在首尔大幅下跌，投资者担心美国新一届国会可能在中期选举后收紧对人工智能数据中心的监管。截至上午11:20，韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）下跌185.77点，跌幅3.27%，至5498.03点。半导体类股领跌，韩元兑美元汇率走弱。

韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）开盘下跌1.82%，随后跌势扩大。

三星电子股价下跌 5.05%，SK 海力士股价下跌 6.52%，韩美半导体股价暴跌 7.58%。

三星电机股价下跌 10.04%，SK Innovation 股价下跌 5.9%，韩华航空航天股价下跌 4.76%。

截至上午 11:20，韩元兑美元汇率为 1,342.15，较前一交易日收盘价下跌 0.65 韩元。

隔夜美国主要股指收高，投资者对民主党主导的国会表示欢迎。

发布于2026年11月5日上午9:41（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年11月5日上午11:56（韩国标准时间）

周四，首尔市中心韩亚银行总部交易室的屏幕上显示着韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）。（韩联社）

周四上午晚些时候，韩国股市大幅下跌，原因是投资者担心中期选举后美国人工智能（AI）政策的未来走向。

韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）开盘下跌1.82%后，跌幅扩大，截至上午11:20，下跌185.77点，跌幅3.27%，至5498.03点。

隔夜华尔街股市主要股指收高，投资者对民主党主导的国会表示欢迎。

然而，选举结果引发了人们的担忧，即新一届众议院和参议院将收紧对人工智能数据中心的监管。

在首尔，半导体股票交易价格下跌。

科技巨头三星电子股价下跌 5.05%，SK 海力士股价暴跌 6.52%。

领先的芯片设备制造商韩美半导体股价暴跌 7.58%，三星电子旗下电子元件子公司三星电机股价暴跌 10.04%。

领先的炼油企业SK Innovation股价下跌5.9%，国防巨头韩华航空航天股价下跌4.76%。

截至上午 11:20，韩元兑美元汇率为 1,342.15 韩元，较前一交易日收盘价下跌 0.65 韩元。