Korean Margin Debt Hits Record Amid Tech Stock Surge

2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Apr 22

Leveraged bets on South Korean equities have reached a record high as retail investors pursue a rally in technology stocks.
Outstanding margin debt climbed to 34.3 trillion won ($23.2 billion) as of April 20, well above the one-year average of 25.1 trillion won.
The surge is driven by renewed interest in artificial intelligence and chip-related shares, reflecting heightened risk appetite among investors.

Can regulators cool Korea's AI stock frenzy without crashing the market?

Could this record retail betting actually fast-track Korea's global AI dominance?

Beyond memory chips, can Korea win the high-stakes AI system semiconductor race?

Will soaring household debt pop the AI stock bubble before it fully inflates?

With margin loans cut, are new leveraged ETFs a trap for retail investors?