South Korea's benchmark Kospi stock market index has tumbled into bear-market territory just weeks after reaching a record high and taking the title of the best-performing market of the year.
The Kospi fell more than 5% on Wednesday, leaving the index more than 20% below its June 19 all-time high. Although the benchmark recovered slightly in volatile trading on Thursday, the decline marked a dramatic reversal for what had been the world's best-performing major stock market earlier this year.
