Asian tech stocks tumbled on Monday as South Korea’s main index slumped more than 8%, forcing a 20‑minute trading halt. The Kospi, driven by chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, both shed over 10%, leaving the benchmark more than 15% below last week’s record. The drop followed a 4.2% Nasdaq plunge on Friday, the steepest decline since April 2023.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 3.6% and the broader Topix slipped 2.5%, erasing record highs a week earlier. Analysts blamed a string of memory‑chip headlines – Broadcom’s weak earnings, U.S. calls for relief on shortages, and Nvidia’s capacity cut for its Vera Rubin platform – but said demand remains solid, underscoring a structural supply gap. The sell‑off also dragged the S&P 500 down 2.6%, ending a nine‑week winning streak.

Foreign investors dumped a net $10bn of Korean shares last week, pushing the won to its weakest level against the dollar since March 2009. Seoul responded with emergency talks and new measures to curb speculative trading. With chip valuations stretched by AI hype, the sell‑off highlights how quickly investor sentiment can reverse, leaving the region’s tech rally on thin ice.