South Korea’s KOSPI Falls 14.5% in Worst Week Since 2008

South Korea’s KOSPI fell 14.5% over the week through Friday, its steepest weekly decline since October 2008, extending a sharp regional equity selloff that matters to global risk sentiment.

The benchmark ended Friday higher, adding 113.82 points, or 2.05%, to 5,668.04. The daily rebound could not erase a weekly loss that was the index’s largest in nearly 18 years.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 also advanced Friday, rising 1.39% to 65,324.29. Samsung Electronics gained 2.62%, while SK Hynix rose 0.79%, adding support among major South Korean technology shares.

The KOSPI fell 14.5% for the week despite Friday’s rebound. For crypto investors, the drop is relevant as a broad risk-sentiment indicator, though it does not by itself show a move in digital-asset prices.

The contrast between the Friday rebound and the full-week result underscores how volatile trading remained: one positive session left the index sharply lower on a weekly basis.