South Korea's KOSPI falls 1.24% to 5,937.66, KOSDAQ drops 2.34% on 29 October
In short
The KOSPI closed on 29 October at 5,937.66, down 74.78 points (1.24%), after opening 4.78 points higher at 6,017.22. The KOSDAQ closed at 753.23, down 18.05 points (2.34%), after rising on each of the two previous sessions.
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The KOSPI closed on 29 October at 5,937.66, down 74.78 points or 1.24%, according to Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily. The KOSDAQ closed the same day at 753.23, down 18.05 points or 2.34%, according to Yonhap, Newsis, Asia Economy and Seoul Economic Daily. The close reports were published between 15:32 and 15:37 local time. [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]
The day began with a small gain. Yonhap, Newsis, Asia Economy and Seoul Economic Daily reported that the KOSPI opened at 6,017.22, up 4.78 points or 0.08%. The documents do not say what moved the index lower during the session. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
The KOSDAQ had risen the day before. On 28 October it closed at 771.28, up 27.45 points or 3.69%, according to Yonhap, Asia Economy, Seoul Economic Daily and Seoul Shinmun. Seoul Shinmun, in an article it says was written with generative AI, said institutions net bought 224.2 billion won of shares, while foreign investors net sold 184.9 billion won and individuals net sold 31.1 billion won. It said the index opened at 756.90, reached 773.28 during the session and had a low of 756.57. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Seoul Shinmun said 1,141 stocks rose, 527 fell and 68 were unchanged on 28 October, with six hitting the upper limit and two the lower limit. It put volume at 533,015,000 shares and turnover at about 6.67 trillion won. Rainbow Robotics (레인보우로보틱스) rose 15.08% to 404,500 won. The outlet said robot-related stocks drew buying, and that this was interpreted as reflecting expectations tied to news of Samsung Electronics inspecting its robot business and a schedule involving Nvidia's AI Day Seoul 2026 next month. It also said US technology stock strength and a policy forum in Yeouido on technology small and venture company listings improved sentiment. [ 7 ]
On 27 October the KOSDAQ closed at 743.83, up 16.62 points or 2.29%, according to Yonhap, Asia Economy and Maeil Business. Maeil Business, in an article it says was written by an automated algorithm, reported that the non-metal sector rose 4.7%, machinery and equipment 4.23%, electric and electronics 3.97% and finance 3.93%, while publishing and media replication fell 2.55% and construction 1.62%. It said 1,084 stocks rose, including five at the upper limit, and 544 fell. Among major stocks it listed Simtec up 9.23% and EcoPro up 6.74%, and said none of them fell. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The documents are market-close reports and give no reason for the 29 October declines. They show both indices ending lower after the KOSDAQ's gains on 27 and 28 October.
Key facts
- The KOSPI closed on 29 October at 5,937.66, down 74.78 points or 1.24%. [ 12 , 17 ]
- The KOSPI opened on 29 October at 6,017.22, up 4.78 points or 0.08%. [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The KOSDAQ closed on 29 October at 753.23, down 18.05 points or 2.34%. [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]
- The KOSDAQ closed on 28 October at 771.28, up 27.45 points or 3.69%. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The KOSDAQ closed on 27 October at 743.83, up 16.62 points or 2.29%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The KOSPI closed on 29 October at 5,937.66, down 74.78 points (1.24%). [ 12 , 17 ]
- The KOSDAQ closed on 29 October at 753.23, down 18.05 points (2.34%). [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]
- The KOSPI opened on 29 October at 6,017.22, up 4.78 points (0.08%). [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The KOSDAQ closed on 28 October at 771.28, up 27.45 points (3.69%). [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The KOSDAQ closed on 27 October at 743.83, up 16.62 points (2.29%). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Why the KOSPI and KOSDAQ fell on 29 October. The documents for that day are close reports with headlines only and give no cause.
- What drove the KOSDAQ's 3.69% rise on 28 October. Only Seoul Shinmun, in an article it says was written with generative AI, gives reasons: US technology stock strength and a policy forum. It presents the robot-stock rally as an interpretation.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 27 October: Yonhap published the KOSDAQ close at 743.83, up 2.29%. [ 1 ]
- 28 October: Yonhap and Asia Economy published the KOSDAQ close at 771.28, up 3.69%. [ 4 , 5 ]
- 29 October: the KOSPI opened at 6,017.22, up 0.08%. [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]
- 29 October: Newsis reported the KOSPI close at 5,937.66, down 1.24%. [ 12 ]
- 29 October: Yonhap and Newsis reported the KOSDAQ close at 753.23, down 2.34%. [ 13 , 14 ]