KOSPI's Plunge: Why Foreign Investors Are Fleeing South Korea's Stock Market

South Korea's stock market is experiencing significant volatility again, with the KOSPI index plunging 7.57% on October 15, closing at 5,554.22, despite strong earnings from major companies like Samsung Electronics. Foreign investors have sold approximately 208 trillion won worth of Korean stocks this year, marking record-high net selling. While global factors like oil prices and US interest rates affect all markets, KOSPI has fallen 34.5% since July, contrasting with gains in US and Taiwanese markets. Analysts attribute the divergence to foreign capital outflows, persistent "Korea discount" concerns, and debates over the semiconductor cycle's sustainability, though positive earnings momentum may eventually restore market stability.