South Korean retail investors are pulling savings, fixed deposits, and life insurance funds to buy SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, both trading near record highs on AI chip demand. Savings bank deposits fell below ₩100 trillion ($66.24 billion) for the first time in four years, while commercial bank time deposits dropped by roughly ₩12 trillion ($7.94 billion) since February as cash rotated into equities. Investors over 50 now hold about 62% of all margin loans at top brokerages, with margin debt among those in their 60s doubling from ₩3.9 trillion to ₩8 trillion in a year. Insurance policy surrenders at the top three life insurers jumped 16% in Q1 2026, with savings-type policies surging 23%. Analysts highlight that the marginal buyer is liquidating insurance, withdrawing savings, and borrowing on margin to stay in the rally. SK Hynix and Samsung together account for roughly 42% of the KOSPI after AI-fueled rallies, with SK Hynix up 265% and Samsung up 162% since November. The Korean government added a ₩33 trillion support package for the chip sector. The KOSPI dropped 19% in March before recovering, with leveraged older investors averaging 20% losses during the slide. The same risk appetite has spilled into crypto, with Korean Won handling about 30% of global spot volume on Upbit and Bithumb. Weekly RSI readings above 80 on both stocks signal overbought conditions.

Key facts

• Savings bank deposits fell below ₩100 trillion for first time in four years.
• Investors over 50 hold 62% of all margin loans at top brokerages.
• Insurance policy surrenders at top three life insurers jumped 16% in Q1 2026.
• SK Hynix and Samsung account for 42% of KOSPI; SK Hynix up 265% since Nov.
• Weekly RSI above 80 on both stocks signals overbought conditions.

KeyAudit data perspective