STOCKS | South Korea Eases Securities Financing Rules to Curb Market Volatility

South Korea will temporarily exempt securities firms from a rule requiring them to hold collateral worth at least 140% of their margin loans, aiming to prevent forced selling from intensifying stock-market volatility. According to Sina Finance, a joint government statement said the exemption will last three months starting November 9. Authorities agreed that South Korean stocks have overreacted to external factors, including uncertainty over artificial intelligence policies and weak global investor sentiment. They will monitor domestic and overseas stock markets and capital flows in real time with the highest level of vigilance and respond actively to prevent further market turmoil. The government will prepare additional market-stabilization measures if volatility worsens. South Korea's finance minister said the country's sound economic fundamentals warrant caution against excessive pessimism driven by market anxiety.