South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI fell nearly 2% to around 6,920 on Thursday, reversing the previous session’s gains as surging oil prices, rising US Treasury yields and weaker Wall Street stocks weighed on investor sentiment. Brent crude climbed above $101 a barrel, its highest level since May, amid escalating US-Iran tensions and concerns about disruptions to Middle East energy supplies. The US 10-year Treasury yield rose to around 4.86%, its highest level since November 2023, while Wall Street stocks declined for a third consecutive session. Major Korean companies including Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, SK Square, Hyundai Motor, LG Energy Solution and Doosan Enerbility all fell. Separately, South Korea and France agreed to deepen cooperation in AI and semiconductors through joint research and investment, providing longer-term support for Korea’s technology sector.