South Korea's KOSPI Falls 4% to 5,536.97 in Sharp Selloff

South Korea's KOSPI fell 4% to 5,536.97, extending a steep decline in the country's stock market and adding a sharp Asian equity move to the risk-sentiment backdrop watched by crypto traders.

The index had opened 0.94% lower and then fell as much as 4.76% intraday before ending the session down nearly 4%. The 5,536.97 reading captures the reported 4% decline. SK Hynix shares closed 4.22% lower, marking a steep loss for one individual stock alongside the wider index move.

Japan's Nikkei 225 opened 0.41% lower, putting another major Asian stock benchmark in negative territory at the start of its session. The figures show a sharp decline in South Korean equities and a weaker opening in Japan; they do not establish a uniform move across every Asian market.

For U.S. crypto traders, the KOSPI's 4% drop adds a sharp regional equity move to the broader risk-sentiment backdrop. The index measures stocks, so its decline does not itself quantify changes in digital-asset markets.