KOSDAQ Margin Financing Collapses to 6.9 Trillion Won, Down 24% in One Month; Market Halts Triggered on July 24

According to Financial News, on July 24, KOSDAQ margin financing balance plummeted to 6.9 trillion won from 9.1 trillion won recorded about a month earlier, marking a 23.9% decline. Daily average trading volume across Korean exchanges also contracted approximately 30%, dropping from 100 trillion won in May-June to 67 trillion won as of July.

Despite the liquidity squeeze, market volatility remained elevated with VKOSPI hovering above 80. Both KOSPI and KOSDAQ triggered sell-side circuit breakers on the session, with KOSPI falling 5.72% to close at 6,690.62 and KOSDAQ plunging 5.32%. KOSPI's sell-side halt marked the 21st occurrence in 2026.