Global Economy — 2026-04-09
Foreign Investors Sold Record 44 Trillion Won in Korean Stocks During March
Foreign investors dumped a record 44.14 trillion won (~$31 billion) in Korean stocks in March, roughly four times greater than the previous record set during the 2008 financial crisis. Total securities outflows hit 54.18 trillion won including bonds. The selloff was concentrated in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, driven by Middle East war risk aversion compounded by Google's memory-reducing TurboQuant technology announcement. The KOSPI rallied 5.9% on April 8 following the US-Iran ceasefire, with foreigners returning as net buyers for the first time in weeks.
The 44 trillion won outflow, four times the 2008 crisis record, reflects not just war risk aversion but structural concerns about Korean export competitiveness. The concentration of selling in Samsung and SK hynix, amplified by Google's TurboQuant announcement, suggests foreign investors view Korea's semiconductor advantages as more vulnerable than previously assumed.
Sources: Seoul Economic Daily