# Korean Stocks Slump as AI Hype Fades

> Korean stocks drop as global AI trade cools.
- Title: Korean Stocks Slump as AI Hype Fades · The Economic Times
- Summary: Korean stocks drop as global AI trade cools. South Korea's stock market struggles as AI hype fades, with the Kospi losing 22% since its first-half peak.
- Keywords: korean stocks, ai hype, kospi, samsung electronics, sk hynix, memory chips, foreign investment, money, business, Korean, Stocks, Slump
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/us-stocks/news/korean-stocks-slump-as-global-ai-hype-fades/articleshow/134880113.cms
- Author: Bloomberg
- Published: 2026-10-12T00:52:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: korean stocks, ai hype, kospi, samsung electronics, sk hynix, memory chips, foreign investment, money, business
## Korean Stocks Struggle
South Korea's stock market faces declining investor interest as global AI trade cools.
## Kospi Loses 22%
The Kospi, world's best-performing benchmark in first half, has dropped 22% in second half.
## AI Trade Fades
Global AI hype fades as investors question memory chip demand sustainability.
## Samsung and SK Hynix Buybacks
Samsung and SK Hynix completed 55 trillion won ($41 billion) stock buybacks.
## Foreign Investors Retreat
Foreign investors are retreating at the fastest pace in Asia as AI trade cools.
## Market Turnover Drops
Stock market turnover has fallen 70% from late May peak as AI trade cools.
## Investor Confidence Falls
Investor confidence drops as memory chip demand questions the AI boom cycle.
## Key takeaway

South Korea's stock market struggles as AI hype fades, with the Kospi losing 22% since its first-half peak.