Asian equity markets opened sharply lower on Monday, driven by a broad-based unwind of recent gains in artificial intelligence stocks.
The selling pressure was severe enough to trigger a trading halt on the Seoul exchange, signaling extreme volatility in the region's tech-heavy indices.
The abrupt reversal comes after a period of intense buying in AI-related equities, which has now given way to profit-taking and risk-off sentiment.
Investors are digesting the rapid correction as liquidity conditions tighten across regional markets.
In contrast, European markets showed more stability.
The Stockholm Stock Exchange opened with modest gains, while Indian benchmark indices closed marginally higher on Thursday, supported by strength in information technology shares.