South Korea’s KOSPI has developed a pattern in which investors buy after weak openings and sell into afternoon recoveries, as corporate share repurchases offset selling by foreigners and institutions. From Aug. 20 to 31, other corporations net-bought ₩11.7 trillion on the KOSPI, while foreigners net-sold ₩7 trillion and institutions sold ₩1.7 trillion. The index narrowed losses or turned higher on five of eight sessions that opened down. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix began large-scale buybacks in late August, purchasing shares at roughly 2% to 3% of their planned amounts each day, according to Samsung Securities. Samsung Electronics announced a ₩110 trillion shareholder-return plan on Aug. 21, including a ₩15 trillion buyback, while SK Hynix announced a ₩40 trillion repurchase program and plans to cancel the shares. Researchers said the mechanical demand could support the market for at least another month and a half, with Samsung Securities estimating ₩44.7 trillion remained from the two companies’ planned purchases as of Aug. 28. The buying has supplemented interest from high-net-worth investors, who net-purchased ₩36.82 billion of Samsung Electronics preferred shares and ₩12.02 billion of SK Hynix through Korea Investment & Securities. Nvidia’s stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings also supported semiconductor sentiment. Analysts caution that the buybacks cannot permanently replace foreign or institutional demand, leaving the KOSPI vulnerable to another correction when the programs end.