[Edaily Reporter Hyera Lee ] The KOSPI and KOSDAQ indices are showing mixed trends in the afternoon session. While the KOSPI, which opened higher, has been unable to avoid a decline, the KOSDAQ index continues to rise as expectations for market structural improvements come into focus.

According to MP Doctor on the 1st, as of 2:00 p.m., the KOSPI is trading at 8,370.40 points, down 105.90 points (1.25%) from the previous trading day.
The index opened with a gain of over 1% early in the session, driven by strong performance from top-market-cap stocks, but turned lower about 20 minutes after the regular session began as selling pressure, particularly in semiconductor stocks, intensified. The index briefly hit a low in the mid-8,100s during the session.
This is largely due to heavy net selling by foreign investors. Foreign investors have been net sellers in the KOSPI market for nine consecutive trading days, selling a total of 2.34 trillion won. At the same time, retail investors are absorbing about 1.94 trillion won worth of shares. While institutions have been net buyers for the third consecutive day, selling pressure continues, particularly from financial investment firms and pension funds.
The top market-cap stocks are experiencing a sharp decline. Among the top 10 stocks by market capitalization, only four— SKSQUARE(402340), SamsungElectroMechanics(009150), SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS(207940), and HD HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES(329180) —are trading higher.
SamsungElectronics(005930) SK hynix(000660), and are down 4.27% and 1.92%, respectively. Despite SK hynix’s weakness, SKSQUARE is up by around 4%. Performance among Samsung-related stocks varies widely. and are down 3–7%, while is on the rise. Samsung Life Insurance(032830) SAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION(028260) SamsungElectroMechanics(009150)
In other news, HANWHA AEROSPACE rose 10.15% at the same time, successfully reclaiming the 1 million won price level.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ index is trading at 929.99 points, up 13.60 points (1.49%) from the previous trading day.
The KOSDAQ index briefly turned negative early in the session but switched to an upward trend as of 9:12 a.m. today. The index subsequently extended its gains, at one point rising by as much as 4%.
This is interpreted as buying momentum surging amid expectations for an overall improvement in the KOSDAQ market’s fundamentals following regulatory reforms—such as the KOSDAQ promotion and demotion system—as market-leading large-cap stocks have stalled. The Korea Exchange (KRX) is holding a “30th Anniversary Commemoration Event for the KOSDAQ Market” today to mark the KOSDAQ’s 30th anniversary. Jeong Eun-bo, Chairman of the KRX, stated at the event, “We will actively work with the government to improve the market’s fundamentals and develop KOSDAQ into a trusted market.”
In the KOSDAQ market, both foreign investors and institutional investors are buying in tandem. As of this writing, foreign investors and institutions are net buyers of 82.4 billion won and 46.3 billion won, respectively. In contrast, retail investors are net sellers of around 130.1 billion won.
Significant volatility is being observed among the top-market-cap stocks. In the afternoon session, a considerable number of companies have turned lower once again.
Among them, ECOPRO CO., LTD(086520)and ECOPRO BM CO., LTD.(247540)have extended their losses compared to the morning session and are currently down 7.79% and 11.82%, respectively. ECOPRO BM CO., LTD. announced after the close of regular trading yesterday that it had decided to conduct a rights offering followed by a public offering of unsubscribed shares to raise approximately 1.2 trillion won. The scale of the capital increase corresponds to 8.61% of the company’s market capitalization at the close of regular trading the previous day. ECOPRO CO., LTD has decided to participate in the rights offering.
Another notable trend is that as buying momentum for large-cap semiconductor stocks has slowed, investors are showing a preference for KOSDAQ semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment stocks.
JUSUNG ENGINEERING Co.,Ltd.(036930)The stock is currently trading at 249,000 won, up 23.88%, while other stocks such as PSK INC.(319660) and SIMMTECH Co., Ltd.(222800) are also showing strength.