While the KOSPI rebounded in a single session to set a new all-time high, a stark divergence emerged between the returns of Korea's top two stocks by market capitalization. SK hynix (000660) broke through its previous peak and approached the 2 million won mark, while Samsung Electronics (005930) posted a relatively modest gain amid mounting concerns over a general strike.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 14th, SK hynix closed the previous session at 1.976 million won, up 7.68%, hitting a new all-time high. In after-hours trading, the stock briefly climbed as high as 1.999 million won.
SK hynix had closed at 1.88 million won on the 11th. On the 12th, it rose as high as 1.967 million won during the session before ending lower at 1.835 million won. The stock opened lower the previous day as well but reversed course to post sharp gains. Based on the 13th closing price, the stock needs just a 1.2% gain to reach 2 million won.
Analysts attributed the revived sentiment in semiconductor investment to U.S. President Donald Trump's remark that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang had boarded a flight bound for China.
Samsung Electronics, by contrast, turned in a somewhat disappointing performance. Its closing price on the 13th was 284,000 won, up just 1.79%. That fell short of both the intraday high on the 12th (291,500 won) and the 11th closing price (285,500 won). For individual investors in either Samsung Electronics or SK hynix, it marked a moment when fortunes diverged.
For Samsung Electronics, the risk of a general strike is intensifying as post-mediation talks between labor and management conducted by the National Labor Relations Commission have been suspended. If an 18-day strike from the 21st through the 7th of next month materializes, concerns are mounting that it could lead to customer defections and supply-chain damage amid the global semiconductor boom.
Still, with eight days remaining until the 21st—the date set by the union—there is room for behind-the-scenes dialogue between the two sides. In a statement that day, Samsung Electronics said, "The company will continue its efforts to prevent the worst-case scenario through sincere dialogue until the very end." The union also left the door open, saying, "If the company brings a proper proposal to the table, we are willing to listen."
Some analysts argue that the strike issue's impact on the share price is gradually diminishing. Lee Kyoung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, noted, "Although the union's post-mediation ultimately fell through, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol stated that a strike must absolutely not happen and pledged support for a negotiated settlement. The controversial national dividend issue has also been dismissed as a personal opinion, and the situation is calming down."
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