The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.4% to around 3,170 on Monday, extending losses from the previous session, pressured by a sharp selloff in US tech stocks. Given South Korea’s heavy reliance on exports to the US, the index mirrored Wall Street weakness, particularly in tech with Samsung Electronics (-1.9%) and SK Hynix (-3.8%) retreating. Weak domestic data and tariff concerns added to cautious tone, with the manufacturing PMI contracting for a seventh month at 48.3 in August and Trump's 10% baseline tariffs weighed on trade sentiment. Meanwhile, August exports rose just 1.3% year-on-year, missing forecasts of 3% growth, as shipments to the US plunged 12% on steep duties. Still, semiconductors shone in the trade report, with chip exports surging 27.1% to a record $15.1 billion, alongside gains in autos (+8.6%) and ships (+11.8%). On the corporate front, chemical and financial shares also underperformed alongside chipmakers, while Hyundai Motor (+0.7%) edged higher, offering modest support.