KOSPI Market Triggers 41 Trading Halts in First Six Months, Exceeding Full Year 2008 Financial Crisis Total

According to Korean Exchange data, KOSPI market activated 41 sidecar trading halts (buy-side 20, sell-side 21) between January 2 and July 24, 2026. This surpassed the full-year 2008 global financial crisis record of 26 activations within just six months.

Circuit breaker halts, a more severe measure, were triggered 7 times during the same period. Since the mechanism's introduction in 2000, circuit breakers have activated 13 times over 26 years; more than half occurred in 2026. Increased market volatility has also affected leveraged retail trading, with margin loan balances declining to their lowest level in three months at 32.75 trillion won as of July 23.