KOSPI opens down 4.16% as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix fall over 5%

South Korea’s KOSPI remained under pressure in early trading on July 20, after opening sharply lower and later trading down 175.46 points, or 2.57%, at 6,645.14. The decline followed a 6.37% slump on July 16 and was linked to weakness in U.S. semiconductor stocks and renewed military tensions in the Middle East. Foreign investors and institutions were net sellers on the KOSPI, while retail investors bought shares. Samsung Electronics fell 1.37% and SK Hynix lost 0.98%, while other heavyweight stocks including Hyundai Motor, Kia, KB Financial and LG Energy Solution also traded lower. The Kosdaq index also fell, down 1.61% to 779.11, with foreign investors and institutions net buyers and retail investors net sellers.