▲ Traders are seen working inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)

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Seoul stocks sharply down late Mon. morning on risk-averse sentiment

SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks were trading markedly lower late Monday morning, as investors sold off tech heavyweights.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 181.36 points, or 3.47 percent, to 5,043 as of 11:20 a.m.

Risk averse sentiment triggered institutional and foreign investors to offload shares of major semiconductor makers and other large cap tech companies.

On Friday, U.S. stocks closed lower, as investors were cautious over the newly nominated Federal Reserve chair known for his hawkish stance on interest rates.

In Seoul, shares lost ground across the board.

Market top-cap Samsung Electronics dipped 2.62 percent, while its chip making rival SK hynix retreated 4.73 percent.

Top car maker Hyundai Motor shed 2.3 percent, battery maker LG Energy Solution lost 2.39 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace fell 3.08 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,458 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 18.5 won from the previous session.

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