Korea Exchange (KRX)

Money Moves

Managing unprecedented volatility with circuit breakers

South Korea's stock market led major economies in early 2026, with the KOSPI hitting 6,347 on February 27. A U.S. and Israeli strike on Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz—carrying 95% of South Korea's oil imports—triggering a 20% KOSPI crash in two days, the worst in the country's history.

Updated May 30

Money Moves

Operating the world's best-performing major equity market

South Korea's benchmark KOSPI stock index crossed 6,000 points for the first time on February 25, 2026. It completed its climb from 5,000 to 6,000 in just 34 trading days, the fastest thousand-point advance in the index's history.

Updated May 29