South Korean shares plunged on Wednesday, slipping below the 5,100-point mark as tensions grew in the Middle East. Investors were concerned about the economic impact of the ongoing war.
As of Wednesday afternoon, U.S. and Israeli forces continue airstrikes on Iran and Lebanon, hitting a hotel near Beirut and the Assembly of Experts building in Qom, with the combined death toll rising above 800.
Tehran launched a fourth straight night of retaliatory attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in the region, with reported strikes on the U.S. consulate in Dubai and a port in Fujairah, UAE.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi decreased by 698.37 points, or 12.1%, to finish at 5,093.54. The Kosdaq fell by 159.26 points, or 14%, to end at 978.44.
In economic news, South Korea's overall industrial output decreased 1.9% month-on-month in January, following a 1.5% monthly gain in the previous month, according to data from Statistics Korea released Wednesday.
Total industrial production increased by 7.1% year on year in January 2026, after a 1.4% yearly gain in December 2025.
Meanwhile, the country's retail sales, a gauge of private spending, rose 2.3% in January from the previous month.
In corporate news, Intekplus (KOSDAQ:064290) secured a semiconductor substrate inspection equipment order worth 9.63 billion won from Takewin International, according to a Wednesday filing with the Korea Exchange.
Shares of the inspection solutions provider declined 3% at market close.
