South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance announced a coordinated response to sharp equity market volatility following an emergency meeting with the Bank of Korea, Financial Services Commission and Financial Supervisory Service. The authorities will continue round-the-clock market monitoring and analyze the drivers of volatility, while moving quickly to curb concentrations in single-stock leveraged products. Planned measures include per-investor limits, with a cap of 20% of total investments cited as an example, higher costs for excessive trading, simulated trading requirements and a legal basis for emergency market-stabilization action such as flexible leverage ratios. Previously announced safeguards will also proceed, including a KRW 30 million cash-only minimum deposit from July 31 for domestic and overseas products, covering new purchases and additional purchases by existing investors. The authorities attributed the selloff to concerns over Chinese competition in memory chips and U.S. big-tech financing, amplified by weaker sentiment and unstable investment flows after earlier market gains. They also plan broader reforms to encourage corporate value enhancement and governance improvements and strengthen the KOSDAQ market.
Ministry of Economy & Finance (South Korea)2026-07-29
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance sets out tighter controls on single-stock leveraged products amid sharp market volatility
South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and other financial authorities will maintain 24-hour monitoring and tighten controls on single-stock leveraged products following sharp equity market declines. Planned measures include investor limits, higher costs for excessive trading, simulated trading and emergency powers to adjust leverage, while a KRW 30 million cash-only minimum deposit takes effect July 31.