The index fell 0.4 percent to close at 4,885.8, snapping a 13-session winning streak that included a series of record highs. Despite the pullback, it briefly climbed to an intraday high of 4,935.48, extending its run of fresh peaks before momentum faded in later trading.
The KOSPI 200 dropped 0.8 percent to 708.5, reflecting pronounced weakness among large-cap constituents. By contrast, the tech-heavy KOSDAQ outperformed, rising 0.8 percent to 976.4, near the 980 level and its highest point in four years, highlighting the growing divergence between the main board and smaller, theme-driven stocks.
On the KOSPI, institutional investors were heavy sellers, offloading a net 606.1 billion won ($410 million), more than offsetting net purchases by individuals of 352.5 billion Korean won and foreign investors' buying of 79.3 billion won. Foreign investors extended their buying streak to a fourth consecutive session, while retail investors ended a six-day run of net selling that had persisted since Jan. 12.
On the KOSDAQ, institutional investors dominated buying with net purchases of 284.4 billion won, while retail investors offloaded 260.4 billion won. Foreign participation remained subdued, with only a marginal net inflow of 1.8 billion won.
Semiconductor giants pulled the index lower as profit-taking intensified amid ongoing concerns about global trade tensions and potential U.S. tariffs. Samsung Electronics slid 2.75 percent to 145,200 won, while SK hynix dropped 2.8 percent to 743,000 won, both underperforming after sharp rallies earlier this month. Hyundai Motor fell 3.02 percent to 479,000 won, adding to the index's losses.
Trading was more mixed for other stocks, with Naver rising 2.5 percent to 244,000 won, defying the broader decline. Robotics-related shares remained in focus, with Doosan Robotics surging 9.7 percent to 118,100 won. Samsung SDI gained 3.8 percent to 326,000 won, leading advances among battery-related stocks.
Thematic trading continued beneath the surface. Shares linked to nuclear power plant decommissioning surged 8.4 percent, while the aerospace sector climbed 7.8 percent, reflecting sustained investor appetite for policy- and technology-driven growth areas even as blue-chip stocks cooled.
The Korean won weakened to 1,479 per dollar, down 4.5 won from the previous session, tracking broader dollar strength.
Across Asia, sentiment was subdued. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1.1 percent to 52,991.1 as fiscal concerns and rising bond yields weighed on technology shares, while China's Shanghai Composite edged down 0.009 percent to 4,113.7.
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