The Korea Exchange found that 68% of stocks placed under its market-alert system fell within 20 trading days of designation. Data submitted to Rep. Park Sung-hoon of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's National Policy Committee, showed 1,548 investment-caution or investment-risk designations from 2022 through August this year, including 1,429 investment-caution cases and 119 investment-risk cases. Prices fell at least 20% in 636 cases and at least 30% in 398 cases. Investment-risk stocks, the highest alert level, declined an average of 15.6% over the period. Retail investors nevertheless posted net buying in 13 of 41 companies designated in August while foreign and institutional investors sold. The Korea Exchange eased rules this year by ending the requirement for 100% cash deposits on purchases of alerted stocks, but retained restrictions including bans on margin trading and trading halts. Park said investor protections, risk disclosures and monitoring of unusual trading should remain in place.