突发！韩国股市突然崩了！

Market Overview - On August 1, the South Korean stock market experienced a sudden drop, with the Seoul Composite Index falling nearly 4%, marking the largest decline since early April [4] - This decline led the Asian markets, raising concerns about the government's plan to increase taxes on businesses and investors [4] Tax Policy Changes - The South Korean Ministry of Finance proposed to lower the capital gains tax threshold from 5 billion KRW (approximately 714,250 USD) to 1 billion KRW, while also increasing transaction taxes [6] - The corporate income tax rate is set to rise from 24% to 25%, reversing the previous government's tax reduction policies [6] - The proposed changes have sparked significant backlash among retail investors, with a nationwide petition for immediate withdrawal gaining traction and public support [6][7] Economic Context - The new administration under President Lee Jae-myung aims to boost government revenue to enhance subsidies and stimulate consumption amid slowing economic growth [6] - The decline in corporate tax revenue highlights the increasing fiscal pressure on South Korea, the fourth-largest economy in Asia [6] Market Sentiment - Despite the recent downturn, the Seoul Composite Index has risen over 30% this year, benefiting from optimistic sentiments surrounding corporate governance reforms initiated by the new government [6] - However, the proposed tax adjustments are causing concern among investors, particularly as they may increase the number of taxable investors [6][9] Investor Reactions - Samsung Electronics, South Korea's largest market-cap stock, has seen consecutive declines due to disappointing earnings reports, which have affected market expectations [7] - If market momentum continues to wane, achieving President Lee's ambitious goal of pushing the stock market above 5,000 points, over 50% higher than current levels, will become increasingly challenging [9] Tax Rate Details - The proposed stock transaction tax will increase from 0.15% to 0.2% [9] - Dividend income between 20 million and 300 million KRW will be taxed at 20%, while amounts exceeding 300 million KRW will be taxed at 35% [9]