The benchmark KOSPI fell more than 1% to around 7,300 on Thursday, pulling back from record highs as investors locked in profits following the previous session’s sharp rally. Among heavyweight stocks, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix declined 0.8% and 1.2%, respectively, while SK Square (-2.3%), LG Energy Solution (-3.1%), Hanwha Aerospace (-4.0%), and LS Electric (-5.6%) also recorded notable losses. The retreat came despite easing concerns over the Middle East conflict, helping improve global risk appetite and lifting Wall Street to fresh record highs overnight. Meanwhile, tech shares remained supported by continued optimism surrounding AI-driven semiconductor demand after South Korea’s first-quarter exports hit a record high, with chip shipments soaring 139% year-on-year. Additional support also came from government plans to launch a 600 billion won fund to support AI and high-tech industries.