Seoul: South Korean stocks opened lower Wednesday, led by chipmakers, amid uncertainties surrounding the U.S. semiconductor policy under the new Donald Trump administration. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 6.59 points, or 0.26 percent, to 2,513.77 in the first 15 minutes of trading.According to Yonhap News Agency, overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.28 percent to a new record, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite added 0.63 percent. The S and P 500 increased 0.57 percent to a fresh high. Despite these gains in the U.S. markets, South Korean investors are concerned that the Trump administration may not offer subsidies to chipmakers investing in the U.S., affecting companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.Samsung Electronics saw a decline of 2.57 percent, while SK hynix, the second-largest chipmaker, lost 2.54 percent. In contrast, LG Energy Solution, a leading battery manufacturer, experienced a rise of 0.86 percent, whereas Samsung SDI decreased by 1.44 percent.In the automotive sector, performances were mixed. Hyundai Motors recorded a slight increase of 0.22 percent, while Kia experienced a decline of 0.92 percent. Meanwhile, the local currency was trading at 1,395.5 won against the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.7 won from the previous session.
- October 12, 2026
