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South Korea's demand for power in the coming years is set to surge on plans by chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to expand production and the building of new AI data centres, according to the country's energy minister.
South Korea's KOSPI surged about 3% on Monday, leading gains across Asia as investors piled back into semiconductor stocks on renewed optimism over artificial intelligence demand. The benchmark opened 3.34% higher at 6,910.78 and was up 2.97% at 6,886.09 by late morning in Seoul.
South Korea and the United States are discussing semiconductor investments in the U.S. as part of broader bilateral talks, a Seoul official told reporters on Friday.
Asian stocks recovered on Thursday as a pause in the global bond selloff brought buyers back to South Korea and Japan, although the rebound remained cautious ahead of Friday's US jobs report. The KOSPI climbed 1.4% to 6,654.76 by late morning, clawing back part of Wednesday's 3.99% plunge, while the Nikkei 225 edged about 0.1% higher to 64,374.
South Korea ETFs are pulling back, but robust exports and rising AI spending could create a compelling long-term buying opportunity.
South Korean stocks sank on Wednesday as a renewed surge in oil prices and global bond yields hit the KOSPI's heavyweight technology and industrial names, turning Seoul into one of Asia's weakest major markets. The KOSPI was down 2.86% at 6,640.26 by late morning after opening more than 3% lower.
Asian stocks came under pressure on Tuesday as another surge in global bond yields collided with higher oil prices, leaving Japan's Nikkei 225 and South Korea's KOSPI navigating a difficult mix of inflation and interest-rate risks. The Nikkei fell about 1% to 65,647 in morning trading as semiconductor shares retreated, while the KOSPI recovered sharply from an opening loss of more than 1% to trade just 0.2% lower around 6,809 by late morning.
Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF has been a top international ETF performer, especially after its 2026 breakout. The previous valuation discount to emerging markets for FLKR has now closed, removing a key bullish catalyst. South Korea's equity markets face heightened vulnerability to political risks and global economic shocks.