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South Korea Records Life Sentence for Ex‑President as KOSPI Hits All‑Time High

Updated (63 articles)
  • Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Former President Yoon Suk Yeol (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • An electronic signboard at Hana Bank in Seoul shows that the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) topped the 5,600-point mark on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    An electronic signboard at Hana Bank in Seoul shows that the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) topped the 5,600-point mark on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    An electronic signboard at Hana Bank in Seoul shows that the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) topped the 5,600-point mark on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on Feb. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on Feb. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on Feb. 13, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • An electronic signboard at Hana Bank in Seoul shows that the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) topped the 5,600-point mark on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    An electronic signboard at Hana Bank in Seoul shows that the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) topped the 5,600-point mark on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    An electronic signboard at Hana Bank in Seoul shows that the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) topped the 5,600-point mark on Feb. 19, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on Feb. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on Feb. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on Feb. 13, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Yoon Suk Yeol receives life term for 2024 martial‑law plot A Seoul criminal court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment on February 19, 2026, after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection aimed at imposing martial law in 2024; prosecutors had sought the death penalty but the court imposed a lighter sentence [1]. The verdict marks the most severe punishment ever handed to a South Korean ex‑leader and follows months of investigations into Yoon’s alleged abuse of power [1].

KOSPI breaches 5,600 points, closing at 5,677.25 The Korea Composite Stock Price Index surged 170.24 points (3.09 %) to end the day at 5,677.25, shattering the previous record of 5,522.27 set on February 12, 2026 [2][3]. AI‑related chip makers drove the rally, with Samsung Electronics up 4.86 % and SK hynix rising 2.16 % in intraday trading [2][3]. The surge followed a three‑day Lunar New Year market closure and was reinforced by gains in auto, battery, biotech, defense and shipbuilding stocks [2][3].

Domestic investors offset foreign net selling, volume spikes Institutional and individual Korean investors bought more shares than they sold, counterbalancing a net foreign‑investor outflow of roughly 918 billion won [2][3]. Trading volume reached 1.17 billion shares worth 28.59 trillion won (≈US$19.8 bn), with 666 stocks advancing versus 231 declining [2]. The strong buying pressure coincided with a weakening won at around 1,452‑1,445 won per dollar and rising Korean Treasury yields [2][3].

President Lee Jae Myung pushes tougher price‑collusion penalties In a senior‑aide meeting on February 19, President Lee called for harsher sanctions against covert price‑fixing schemes in commodities such as sugar, flour, school uniforms and housing, linking the crackdown to broader efforts to curb soaring home prices [1]. The anti‑collusion stance reflects the administration’s focus on market fairness amid the booming equity rally [1].

Naver Pay service restored after midday outage Naver Corp. announced that its mobile payment platform, Naver Pay, resumed normal operation at approximately 4:30 p.m. after a noon‑time glitch halted reward‑balance checks and payment processing [1]. The swift recovery limited broader consumer‑payment disruption during a day of heightened market activity [1].

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Timeline

Nov 2025 – Foreign investors sell a record 14.4 trillion won of KOSPI shares, the biggest monthly outflow since March 2020, led by SK Hynix (8.7 trillion won) and Samsung Electronics (2.2 trillion won); domestic retail investors buy a net 9.2 trillion won, the third‑largest monthly inflow on record[30].

Dec 3 2025 – Samsung announces mass production of HBM4 chips for AI and high‑performance computing, while the government reports a record $709.7 billion in 2025 exports, fueling optimism for the semiconductor‑driven rally[29].

Dec 8 2025 – The KOSPI climbs 1.34 % to 4,154.85 ahead of the U.S. Fed meeting, with foreign investors net‑buying 321.3 billion won; LG Energy Solution jumps 5.99 % after a Mercedes‑Benz supply deal, and Samsung and SK Hynix rise on positive tech outlooks[28].

Dec 14 2025 – The KOSPI opens 2.09 % lower at 4,080.01 as AI‑bubble worries intensify following Broadcom’s weak margin outlook; President Trump reportedly weighs former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh for the next Fed chair, adding to market uncertainty[27].

Dec 15 2025 – The KOSPI falls 1.84 % to 4,090.59 amid renewed AI profitability concerns after the December FOMC meeting; Samsung slides 3.76 % and SK Hynix 2.98 %, while the won strengthens to 1,471 per $1[26].

Dec 18 2025 – The KOSPI drops 1.53 % to 3,994.5 as Oracle’s data‑center partner pulls out, stoking AI‑sector doubts; Lee Kyoung‑min of Daishin Securities notes the Oracle news fuels AI profitability worries but cites Micron’s earnings surprise as a stabilizing factor[25].

Dec 2025 (month‑end) – Foreign ownership of Korean equities reaches a five‑year high of 32.9 % of market cap, driven by net 3.5 trillion won purchases in December, especially in SK Hynix (53.8 % foreign stake) and Samsung (52.3 %)[21].

Jan 2 2026 (early session) – The KOSPI opens higher, reaching 4,260.55, buoyed by retail buying and strong gains in Samsung (+3.67 %) and SK Hynix (+2.3 %)[23].

Jan 2 2026 (close) – The index closes at an all‑time high of 4,309.63, up 2.27 %, as chip mega‑caps Samsung (+7.17 %) and SK Hynix (+3.99 %) hit record levels, supported by foreign net buying of ≈ 645 billion won and record 2025 export growth[22].

Jan 6 2026 – The KOSPI breaks the 4,500‑point barrier for the first time, closing at 4,525.48, driven by semiconductors, brokerages and shipbuilders; individual investors net‑buy ≈ 598 billion won while foreigners turn net sellers after two days of buying[19][20].

Jan 7 2026 – The KOSPI closes at a fresh all‑time high of 4,551.06 after briefly topping 4,600, with Samsung (+1.51 %) and SK Hynix (+2.2 %) leading tech gains and Hyundai Motor soaring 13.8 % on a CES robot demo; foreign investors net‑buy ≈ 1.25 trillion won, offsetting domestic selling[18].

Jan 7 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung asks Chinese President Xi Jinping to mediate on Korean‑Peninsula security issues, including North Korea’s nuclear program, during his state visit to China[17].

Jan 7 2026 – South Korea announces a 2.24 million‑egg import from the United States to curb rising domestic egg prices amid an avian‑influenza outbreak[17].

Jan 7 2026 – Foreign direct investment pledges hit a record $36.05 billion in 2025, reflecting renewed investor confidence after the APEC summit in Gyeongju[17].

Jan 8 2026 – The KOSPI extends a five‑session rally to a record 4,552.37, with shipbuilding (HD Hyundai Heavy Industries +4.49 %) and defense (Hanwha Aerospace +7.92 %) leading gains, while Samsung slips 1.56 % despite a record Q4 earnings outlook[16].

Jan 16 2026 – Former President Yoon Suk Yeol receives a five‑year prison sentence for obstruction related to his 2024 martial‑law declaration, marking the first ruling on those charges[14].

Jan 16 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung schedules a bipartisan luncheon with ruling, opposition and minor‑party leaders at Cheong Wa Dae to foster cross‑party cooperation on state affairs[15].

Jan 16 2026 – North Korea announces large‑scale youth events ahead of its party congress, showcasing exemplary youth and army service members in Pyongyang[15].

Jan 19 2026 – The KOSPI tops 4,900 intraday at 4,900‑plus, marking the 12th consecutive day of gains, driven by auto and tech stocks that lift overall sentiment[13].

Jan 22 2026 – The KOSPI briefly breaches the 5,000‑point mark intraday (≈9:01 a.m.) after a 12‑session rally, buoyed by U.S. market gains following President Trump’s retraction of Greenland‑tariff plans[12].

Jan 22 2026 – The government pledges to continue market‑revitalization reforms, aiming to convert the “Korea discount” into a “Korea premium” after the index reaches 5,000[11].

Jan 26 2026 – The KOSPI slips 0.81 % to 4,949.59 ahead of the U.S. Fed’s rate decision, while the KOSDAQ surges over 7 % to breach the 1,000‑point level, driven by semiconductor optimism[9].

Jan 26 2026 – The KOSPI falls 0.48 % to 4,966.03 as investors watch for possible U.S. intervention in Iran’s unrest; the won strengthens to 1,441.5 per $1[10].

Jan 29 2026 – The KOSPI climbs to 5,221.25, a fresh peak, on three‑day winning streaks powered by earnings from Samsung, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor and Naver, despite a weaker won[8].

Feb 3 2026 – The KOSPI jumps 4.68 % to 5,181.41, prompting the Korea Exchange to impose a five‑minute buy‑side circuit breaker; Samsung and SK Hynix lead with gains of 6.58 % and 7.83 % respectively[6].

Feb 5 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung warns on X that “Stock manipulation will lead to total ruin” after a joint task force raids the Korea Economic Daily headquarters, accusing five reporters of insider‑trading ahead of favorable coverage[4].

Feb 6 2026 – The KOSPI falls to 5,080.56 as tech shares slide and Hyundai Motor drops 4.2 %; Kiwoom analyst Lee Sung‑hoon says chip momentum will continue, citing upcoming AI earnings from Nvidia and Broadcom and a pending commercial‑law revision as upside catalysts[5][1].

Feb 19 2026 – The KOSPI breaks the 5,600‑point barrier for the first time, closing at an all‑time high of 5,677.25, driven by AI‑related chip makers (Samsung +4.86 %, SK Hynix + …) and broader tech optimism; institutions net‑buy 1.64 trillion won while foreign retail investors sell[1].

Feb 19 2026 – Former President Yoon Suk Yeol receives a life‑imprisonment sentence for leading the 2024 insurrection tied to his failed martial‑law bid, a lighter penalty than prosecutors sought[2].

Feb 19 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung calls for harsher sanctions against covert price‑collusion schemes in commodities such as sugar and housing, linking the move to broader efforts to curb rising home prices[2].

Feb 19 2026 – Naver Pay restores full service around 4:30 p.m. after a midday outage that blocked reward‑balance checks and payments[2].

Feb 2026 (future) – Analysts anticipate AI‑related earnings from Nvidia, Broadcom and other chipmakers later in the year, which could further boost the KOSPI’s upward trajectory[1].

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