AI · SEMICONDUCTOR · FACT CHECK
SKD WIRETrue
A 3x leveraged semiconductor exchange-traded fund (ETF) that attracted roughly 5 trillion won in investments from Korean retail traders has fallen 39.9 percent, according to a fact-check by Maeil Business Newspaper and Yonhap News that concluded the claim is factually accurate.
The ETF, offering three times the daily return of a semiconductor index, drew heavy buying from individual investors — referred to in Korea as "seohak gaemi" (overseas-focused retail ants) and domestic retail traders alike. The 5 trillion won figure reflects the scale of money that flowed into the product during the period examined.
Despite the large inflows, the fund posted a 39.9 percent decline. Leveraged ETFs amplify both gains and losses, and the downturn left retail investors who had accumulated large positions with steep losses.
The claim was reviewed against 12 primary sources in a fact-check published by Maeil Business Newspaper in cooperation with Yonhap News, and the claim at issue — retail inflows of 5 trillion won into the 3x semiconductor ETF followed by a 39.9 percent drop — was judged to be accurate. Verdict: True
