South Korea's benchmark Kospi index fell sharply on Monday as traders aggressively sold off technology stocks to lock in gains following a record-breaking rally the previous session.
The decline marks a continuation of the profit-taking wave that has gripped the market after the index reached unprecedented levels earlier in the week.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, the two largest components of the index, faced the heaviest selling pressure.
Investors moved quickly to secure returns, capping a period of exceptional momentum that had driven the market to new highs.
The sharp reversal highlights the fragility of the recent uptrend and suggests that market participants are wary of chasing prices at record levels.
The selloff underscores the volatility inherent in the Korean market's recent performance.