KOSPI Index Plummets 4.7% Following Houthi War Intervention
South Korea’s KOSPI index dropped by 4.73% on the morning of March 30, 2026, as geopolitical risks from the Middle East rattled global markets. The decline followed the weekend announcement that Yemen's Houthi rebels had officially intervened in the U.S.-Iran war, causing international oil prices (WTI) to surge past $100 per barrel. Investors expressed heightened concern over potential maritime transport disruptions in the Red Sea, impacting major South Korean export sectors including semiconductors and automotive manufacturing.
Date: March 30, 2026
Location: South Korea
Conflict: US-Iran Conflict
Category: other
Severity: MEDIUM
Source: Newsis / Hana Bank