Korean Markets Retreat as KOSPI and KOSDAQ Slide, but Nuclear and Infrastructure Equities Surge

The South Korean stock markets closed lower on September 8, 2026, with the benchmark KOSPI declining 0.58% to 6,954.52 and the tech-heavy KOSDAQ dropping 1.25% to 811.88. Foreign and institutional investors net purchased KOSPI shares worth KRW 631,617 million and KRW 642,689 million respectively, while the USD/KRW exchange rate finished at 1,346.56.

DaewooEngineering&Construction (047040) +8.47%

Daewoo Engineering & Construction jumped 8.47% on September 8, 2026, driven by rising expectations for a private contract as a preliminary candidate for the Gadeokdo New Airport project, as construction procedures become visible [1][2][3][6]. The stock was also supported by simultaneous net buying from foreign and institutional investors during the session [4]. Furthermore, growing anticipation for new orders in the nuclear power and plant sectors fueled investor interest [5].

Hyundai pharm (004310) +23.99%

Hyundai Pharm surged 23.99% amid a US investment boom in hair loss treatments, which boosted local expectations [7][9][11]. The stock was further propelled by media reports that the abortion pill 'Mifegyne' is slated for release within the year [8]. Meanwhile, reports regarding Shin풍 Pharm's KRW 16.3 billion valuation loss on its Hyundai Pharm stake had an unconfirmed impact on the day's stock price movement [12].

KEPCO Engineering & Construction (052690) +16.60%

KEPCO Engineering & Construction surged 16.60% following reports of a potential $120 billion project to build eight nuclear power plants in the United States [13][18]. This massive scale of anticipated construction drove strong investor sentiment, which was further bolstered by concurrent net-buying activity from both foreign and institutional investors during the trading session [15]. Other potential drivers behind the stock's sharp rise remain unconfirmed.

HyundaiEngineering&Construction (000720) +3.55%

Hyundai Engineering & Construction rose 3.55% as expectations grew for Korea-US nuclear power cooperation [22]. Analysts project the firm will expand its role in US nuclear projects from planning to EPC, elevating its business status [23][24]. Positive brokerage sentiment also supported the rise, including a buy recommendation from Mirae Asset Securities [20] and a target price upgrade to KRW 200,000 by BNK Investment & Securities [23].

LIGHTRON FIBER-OPTIC DEVICES (069540) +30.00%

Lightron Fiber-Optic Devices hit the 30.00% daily limit-up ceiling on September 8, 2026. The rally was triggered by news that the company was selected as the executing agency for a next-generation optical communication localization project [25][28][30]. Additionally, its selection to lead a commercialization project for optical communication components further boosted investor confidence [26]. Other specific contract terms or additional positive catalysts remain unconfirmed.

Sources

1. 가덕도신공항 수의계약 기대감에 대우건설 주가 11% 급등 — 2news.co.kr · 2026-09-08
2. [특징주] 대우건설, 가덕도신공항 착공 가시화…12%대 급등 — 글로벌이코노믹 · 2026-09-08
3. 대우건설, 가덕도 신공항 수의계약 기대감에 주가↑ — gukjenews.com · 2026-09-06
4. [장중수급포착] 대우건설, 외국인/기관 동시 순매수… 주가 +13.53% — 뉴스핌 · 2026-09-08
5. 대우건설 주가 신바람… 원전·플랜트 수주 기대에 건설 대표주 '들썩' — pinpointnews.co.kr · 2026-09-08
6. '가덕도 신공항' 절차 가시화…예비대상자 대우건설, 12%대 급등 — 뉴시스 · 2026-09-08
7. 현대약품 주가 장중 26%대 급등, 탈모치료제 기대감에 JW신약도 강세 — 비즈니스포스트 · 2026-09-08
8. [특징주] 현대약품, "임신중지약 미프진 연내 출시" 보도.. '급등' — 글로벌이코노믹 · 2026-09-08
9. [특징주] 美 증시서 탈모약 주목에…현대약품 8%대 급등 — 아주경제 · 2026-09-07
10. 현대약품 주가, 9월 8일 장중 장중 한때 상한가, 10,560원 25.41% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-09-08
11. 현대약품, 美 탈모 치료제 투자 열풍에 13%대 강세[특징주] — v.daum.net · 2026-09-07
12. 신풍제약, 고점서 맞바꾼 현대약품 지분…평가손실 163억 — 데일리팜 · 2026-09-08
13. 한전기술 주가 12%대 상승, 1200억 달러 규모 미국 원전 건설 기대감 반영 — 비즈니스포스트 · 2026-09-08
14. 한전기술 주가, 9월 7일 장중 118,500원 10.13% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-09-07
15. [장중수급포착] 한전기술, 외국인/기관 동시 순매수… 주가 +16.52% — 뉴스핌 · 2026-09-08
16. [속보] 한전기술 VI 발동, 주가 장초반부터 급등 — CBC뉴스 · 2026-09-08
17. 한전기술 주가, 9월 7일 장중 120,100원 11.62% 상승 — 중앙이코노미뉴스 · 2026-09-07
18. [특징주] 한전기술, 美 원전 8기 건설 기대감에 11%대 급등 — 메트로신문 · 2026-09-08
19. 현대건설 주가 상승 중 — 아시아뉴스통신 · 2026-09-07
20. 미래에셋증권, 9월 첫째주 현대건설 등 3종목 매수 추천 — 빅터뉴스 · 2026-09-06
21. 현대건설 주가, 9월 4일 119,700원 소폭 올라 마감 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-09-04
22. 한미 원전협력?...대우건설·GS건설·현대건설·원전주 '장중 껑충' — 초이스경제 · 2026-09-08
23. [리포트 브리핑]현대건설, '미국 원전 사업기반과 역할 모두 레벨업' 목표가 200,000원 - BNK투자증권 — 뉴스핌 · 2026-09-08
24. “단순 시공은 끝났다…현대건설, 美 원전 ‘기획부터 EPC까지’ 판 세운다” — 뉴스퀘스트 · 2026-09-08
25. 빛과전자 주가 장중 상한가, 광통신 국산화사업 기관 선정 소식에 — 비즈니스포스트 · 2026-09-08
26. [특징주] 빛과전자, 광통신 부품 상용화 사업 수행기관 선정 소식에…17% 급등 - 조선비즈 — Chosunbiz · 2026-09-08
27. 빛과전자 주가, 9월 7일 장중 2,790원 2.76% 상승 — 톱스타뉴스 · 2026-09-07
28. [특징주] 빛과전자, 차세대 광통신 국산화 수행기관 선정.. '상한가' — 글로벌이코노믹 · 2026-09-08
29. 빛과전자 주가, 웃음꽃... 왜? — 금강일보 · 2026-09-08
30. 빛과전자, 광통신 국산화 사업 기관 선정 소식에 22% 급등 — 뉴시스 · 2026-09-08

This is market commentary, not investment advice.