South Korea's KOSDAQ slides sharply as reforms are unveiled at KOSDAQ CONNECT 2026

All 39 KOSDAQ sector groups recorded negative returns in January 2024, with the KOSDAQ150 industrials index falling 35.5 % and the overall KOSDAQ index plunging 20.8 % to 851.37 points, while the KOSPI slipped only 0.8 %. Analysts attribute the slump to a funding shift toward AI and semiconductor mega‑caps, distorted supply‑demand dynamics and the impact of tighter U.S. monetary policy on growth‑focused stocks.

In response, the Korea Exchange is hosting the three‑day KOSDAQ CONNECT 2026 event from 1‑3 July. The summit will feature IR sessions with 47 listed firms and a series of policy briefings that outline new market‑activation measures: stricter delisting thresholds (raised market‑cap minimum to ₩200 billion and low‑price share rules), a tiered “premium‑standard” market structure, expansion of the special‑purpose listing scheme to AI, space, energy and other strategic sectors, and increased funding channels through growth‑type collective investment schemes and a national growth fund. Regulators hope these steps will improve market confidence, raise corporate valuations and attract institutional capital back to the KOSDAQ.