South Korea says chip investments under discussion with US amid tariff concerns

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.

Reuters • Sep 4, 2026

KOSPI jumps, Nikkei hesitates as Asia tests whether the bond rout is over

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.

Invezz • Sep 3, 2026

KOSPI tumbles despite chip buybacks: how much support can they really provide?

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.

Invezz • Sep 2, 2026

ETFs to Watch as Memory-Chip Scarcity Could Extend Through 2027

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is creating a bottleneck for the semiconductor industry. As hyperscalers continue spending billions of dollars on AI data centers, the demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used alongside advanced AI processors has surged, diverting production away from smartphones, PCs and other electronics.

Zacks Investment Research • Sep 2, 2026

South Korea ETFs: A Short-Term Pullback, a Long-Term Opportunity

South Korea ETFs are pulling back, but robust exports and rising AI spending could create a compelling long-term buying opportunity.

Zacks Investment Research • Sep 2, 2026

South Korea's Inflation Rebounds Above 3%

South Korea's headline inflation rose above 3% again in August after easing the previous month, supporting the central bank's back-to-back rate increases to curb price pressures.

WSJ • Sep 1, 2026

KOSPI rebounds as chip stocks recover while Nikkei 225 slides on bond shock

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.

Invezz • Sep 1, 2026

Kospi Index at a crossroads as Samsung, SK Hynix leverage bets reverse

The Kospi Index has come under intense pressure in the past few months as top constituents like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix lost momentum and as wary South Koreans pare back their leveraged bets. It dropped to 6,788 on Friday, down by 27% from its highest point this year.

Invezz • Aug 30, 2026

Strength in South Korean stocks and memory chipmakers to continue, says David Riedel

David Riedel of Riedel Research Group remains bullish on South Korean memory chipmakers, which he describes as “the holders of the keys” to continued AI growth. He also explains why South Korean high-voltage equipment manufacturers are his highest-conviction investment call.

CNBC International TV • Aug 28, 2026

SK Hynix's $720B AI Memory Expansion: Bet on These ETFs to Capture the Boom

SK Hynix's $720B memory expansion targets soaring AI demand, while three ETFs offer diversified exposure to the HBM boom.

Zacks Investment Research • Aug 28, 2026