South Korea’s KOSPI Falls 6.1% as Samsung Slides 17%

South Korea’s KOSPI fell as much as 6.1% to near 5,996, extending its losing streak to five sessions as a semiconductor-led selloff intensified pressure across risk assets.

The benchmark has dropped more than 15% in five sessions and is now about 35% below its record high from June. The decline erased an estimated $150 billion in South Korean market value.

Samsung shares fell 17% over the five-session period, helping pull the broader index lower. Memory stocks led the decline.

The sharp move adds to global risk-off pressure relevant to crypto markets, where sentiment can weaken when investors retreat from stocks and other risk-sensitive assets.