South Korean Market Rally Driven by Chipmakers Raises Concerns
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South Korean Market Rally Driven by Chipmakers Raises Concerns
- South Korea's KOSPI index surged over 88% year-to-date by mid-May 2026, following a 75% gain in 2025, making it one of the world's best-performing major stock markets.
- This significant ascent has been largely propelled by semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which together accounted for approximately two-thirds of the KOSPI's gains in 2026.
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The South Korean KOSPI index has experienced a remarkable rally, establishing itself as a global leader among equity markets. The index surged by 75% in 2025, and continued its robust performance into 2026, gaining over 88% year-to-date by mid-May. On May 15, 2026, the KOSPI briefly touched an all-time high of 8,046.78 points.
This strong performance is predominantly attributed to the exceptional growth of two major semiconductor companies, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. These two firms have been the primary drivers of the KOSPI’