{
  "id": 2259479,
  "title": "Seoul shares open lower as US bond yields climb again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/seoul-shares-open-lower-as-us-bond-yields-climb-again",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-21T00:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/20260821/seoul-shares-open-lower-as-us-bond-yields-climb-again"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul's stock market opened on a lower note on Friday, echoing the decline observed on Wall Street overnight. This was primarily due to a fresh rise in U.S. Treasury yields and the impact of higher oil prices on investor confidence. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), which serves as the benchmark for the market, slipped by 92.63 points, or 1.35 percent, at the opening market bell.\n\nU.S. Treasury yields resumed their upward trajectory on Thursday, wiping out much of the previous day's decline. This reversal occurred after the U.S. Treasury announced an expanded bond buyback plan. However, this move appeared to provide only a short-term respite from the rising costs of long-term borrowing, leaving investors skeptical about its long-term effectiveness.\n\nMeanwhile, the broader international markets were also in a downward spiral. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.32 percent, while the S&P 500 declined by 0.87 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index also slid by 1 percent. These market movements were further exacerbated by higher oil prices, with Brent crude oil surging by more than 2 percent. This increase in oil prices was fueled by renewed tensions between the United States and Iran.",
  "summary": "Seoul shares opened lower Friday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street as U.S. Treasury yields again rose and higher oil prices weighed on investor sentiment. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 92.63 points, or 1.35 percent, to 6,759.95 at the opening bell. U.S. Treasury yields resumed their upward trend Thursday, reversing much of the previous day's decline…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul stock market opened lower, mirroring Wall Street decline",
    "U.S. Treasury yields rise again, affecting investor confidence",
    "Brent crude oil prices surge 2% due to U.S.-Iran tensions"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rising US Treasury yields and higher oil prices, fueled by US-Iran tensions, are denting investor confidence, contributing to a decline in Seoul's stock market and mirroring losses on Wall Street.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(LEAD) Seoul shares open lower as U.S. bond yields climb again",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/lead-seoul-shares-open-lower-as-u-s-bond-yields-climb-again",
        "published": "2026-08-21T00:22:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul shares open lower as US bond yields climb again",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/seoul-shares-open-lower-as-us-bond-yields-climb-again-2261251",
        "published": "2026-08-21T00:37:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}