KOSPI surged 8.2% to 8,096.93 as Korean retail investors bought the dip while foreigners sold $3.7B. Record margin debt of $39B raises deleveraging risks.

The selling intensified Monday as the benchmark Kospi plunged more than 8% at the open, even as it emerged as one of the world's standout performers thus far.

Foreign investors sold $62 billion in South Korean stocks as the KOSPI surged 70% in 2026, while domestic retail buyers countered with $70 billion in