Memory and semiconductor stocks plunge after South Korean official proposes redistributing AI profits to citizens.

Shares of major memory and semiconductor companies like SanDisk and Micron dropped sharply following a proposal by a top South Korean official to redistribute excess AI-driven profits from chipmakers like Samsung and SK Hynix to the public. This sparked a broad selloff in related ETFs and stocks, reflecting investor concerns about potential new tax policies and profit-sharing models. The official later clarified it was a personal opinion and not formal policy, but the market reaction highlights the political risks tied to the booming AI chip sector. The episode underscores growing debate over who truly owns the profits from AI infrastructure growth.