South Korea's Kospi index dropped significantly, led by chip stocks. Investors questioned the sustainability of record earnings driven by artificial intelligence demand. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, major index components, saw substantial declines. Other sectors like battery and shipbuilding also faced considerable losses. Foreign investors continued to be net sellers of South Korean equities.

Samsung Electronics prepares to reassure chip investors after Kospi crashes rattled AI stocks and spilled over into Bitcoin and crypto markets.

Samsung Electronics fell 9% and SK Hynix dropped nearly 15% as investors rotated out of AI chip stocks, dragging the Kospi index down roughly 5%.