South Korea · Country watch
KOSPI Plunge, Crypto Tax Delay, Governance Rules
KOSPI falls over 5% on AI regulation fears; crypto tax delayed to 2029; new governance guidelines for shareholder returns.
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In this briefing Lee Hyoung-il · South Korea Ministry of Economy and Finance · National Assembly (South Korea) · Financial Services Commission (South Korea) · Korea Exchange · Korea Composite Stock Price Index · Democratic Party (United States)
Regulation
Korea delays crypto tax to 2029 amid data issues
South Korea plans to delay the implementation of cryptocurrency income taxation until 2029, Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il announced on Thursday. The decision marks the fourth postponement, citing the need for more time to secure overseas transaction data and refine the rules. This move comes just a month after the government reaffirmed its commitment to the original timeline, raising questions about policy consistency. The government will work with the National Assembly to formalize the delay, as reported by Korea.net.
Impact Cryptocurrency investors in South Korea gain a two-year reprieve from income tax, now delayed to 2029.
Sources: Korea.net ↗, The Korea Herald ↗
New guidelines for shareholder return disclosures
The Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange announced revised guidelines on Thursday to enhance shareholder protection and promote active shareholder returns. The new guidelines require listed companies to disclose their shareholder return policies more transparently. This move aims to strengthen corporate governance and ensure that shareholders are adequately informed about return strategies, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
Impact Listed companies in South Korea must enhance transparency in shareholder return disclosures, affecting corporate governance.
Sources: Yonhap News Agency ↗
Markets
KOSPI plunges over 5% on AI regulation concerns
South Korean stocks fell sharply on Thursday, with the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) dropping more than 5% due to concerns over tighter regulations on artificial intelligence investments following the Democratic Party's victory in the US midterm elections. The KOSPI closed at 5,383.80, down 300 points or 5.28%. The local currency also weakened against the US dollar. The drop reflects investor anxiety over potential shifts in US policy that could impact South Korean tech firms, according to The Korea Herald.
Impact Investors in South Korean stocks face losses as KOSPI drops over 5% due to AI regulation concerns.
Sources: The Korea Herald ↗, Korea.net ↗
Nothing significant reported today in Disruption · Internal tension · Safety & health · Companies · Trade · Politics.
Also today in the local press
- Over 470,000 pieces of personal data leaked from 37 financial firms: FSC — The Korea Herald
- Court rejects Coupang's request to suspend execution of breach-related penalty — The Korea Herald
- Samsung Electronics faces push for sixth labor union amid alleged internal rifts — The Korea Herald
- Korea tightens corporate governance disclosure rules to strengthen shareholder protections — Korea.net
- Uncollected duty-free goods amount to W307b since 2022 — The Korea Herald
- Israel's president takes first steps on building new government after accepting election results — The Korea Herald
- ASX surges in $80b midterms relief rally as oil slumps; NAB dives, NextDC soars — Herald News
- Bomb threats divert multiple flights in Europe — Herald News
Sources in this briefing
Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.
The same day elsewhere
- Argentina: Argentina's Country Risk Soars; Mercosur-UE Deal Advances
- Brazil: Selective Tax Set, Selic Rate Held
- Canada: Canada Unveils Budget 2026, Housing Focus
- China: CIIE Opens, CSRC Tightens IPO Rules, Resource Plan Unveiled
- Colombia: Colombia Faces National Strike; Vape Tax Rises
- Germany: Pflegereform Adjustments, DAX Hits Record High
- Egypt: Egypt Cuts Spending, Inflation Eases
- Spain: Ouigo Strike Canceled, EU Import Tax, Water Alert
- France: Nationwide Strikes and Budget Rejection
- United Kingdom: Bank of England Rate Hike, Scottish Council Overhaul
- Indonesia: Rupiah Strengthens, National Holidays Set for 2027
- Israel: Eisenkot Gains Support, TASE Plummets, Weather Threat
- India: Sensex Surges, Drug License Crackdown
- Iraq: BP, PetroChina Cut Budgets; Dollar Rises
- Iran: Dollar Rises, Energy Crisis Costs, Car Prices Drop
- Italy: Bomb Alerts Disrupt Flights, School Protests Loom
- Jordan: Supply Chain Efficiency, Weather Alert Issued
- Japan: Chubu Electric Order, Microsoft Layoffs, BOJ Inflation
- Kenya: Kenya's Chilli Exports to China, Water Shutdown in Nairobi
- Lebanon: Lebanon's Power Reform Talks, Nasdaq Plunge
- Morocco: Morocco Restricts Tomato Exports, Transport Subsidies
- Mexico: Banxico Cuts Rate, Mexico's US Trade Surplus Soars
- Malaysia: Deepavali Toll Discount; Thunderstorm Warning
- Nigeria: NJC Suspends Judges, Tinubu Visit Restrictions
- Netherlands: KLM Cuts Jobs, Gas Prices Fall, West Nile Deaths Rise
- Poland: Poland Tax Overhaul, Fuel Prices Drop
- Portugal: Fuel Prices Drop, Hospital Infestation, KLM Cuts Jobs
- Russia: Russian Services PMI Drops, Gold Prices Surge
- Senegal: Kébémer Health Alert, Budget Standoff Intensifies
- Syria: Central Bank Fee Ban, Saudi Investment, Gold Surge
- Turkey: Golden Global License Revoked, Central Bank Reserves Fall
- Ukraine: Zhytomyr Power Cuts, Russian Drone Strikes
- United States: Tech Stocks Plunge, LIV Golf Faces Liquidation
- Vietnam: Crypto Rules Tighten, Used Tech Import Ban Looms
- Yemen: Taiz Health Crisis Worsens; Houthi Violations Documented
- South Africa: Local Elections Reshape Councils, AGOA Tariff Impact