Korean Stocks Rebound Despite Tariff Threats

2026-01-27 02:03 By Mariene Camarillo 1 min. read

The benchmark KOSPI rose 2.73% to close at 5,084 on Tuesday, rebounding from the previous session’s losses as gains in semiconductor stocks supported the index.

Samsung Electronics (+1.18%), SK Hynix (+4.21%), Doosan Enerbility (+2.18%), and SK Square (+6.12%) led the gains, while auto shares retreated, with Hyundai Motor (-2.03%) and Kia Corp (-3.29%) posting declines.

Investor caution heightened following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Washington would raise tariffs on imported automobiles from 15% to 25%, citing delays by South Korea’s legislature in completing domestic procedures to implement a bilateral trade agreement.

In response, sentiment was eased as South Korea’s presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, held an emergency interagency meeting to coordinate countermeasures and assess the potential economic impact, and decided to fast-track Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan’s trip from Canada to Washington for urgent talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.



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