South Korean High-Net-Worth Investors Halt New Stock Purchases Amid Extreme Market Swings

According to securities firms today (July 17), high-net-worth investors in South Korea have adopted a wait-and-see stance amid extreme market volatility, with the KOSPI swinging 5-6% daily. Private bankers at major brokerage centers report that new inflows and additional purchases have dried up, as ultra-wealthy clients express fatigue with sudden price swings. One investor with 3 billion won in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix holdings said he would liquidate all holdings if SK Hynix recovers to 2.3 million won.

Investors are shifting focus toward defensive assets and fixed-income products like ELS (equity-linked securities), which offer higher expected returns as volatility increases. Brokers noted that market confidence will only recover once volatility subsides to manageable levels.