Short-Seller 'The Assassin' Goes Long South Korea's Kospi

Prominent activist short-seller Carson Block, widely known in financial circles as ‘The Assassin,’ announced a strategic pivot to taking long positions in South Korean equities on 22 May 2026 according to Bloomberg. This move follows a year in which Korea’s benchmark Kospi index delivered total returns of 58%, making it the world’s best-performing major market. Block’s firm, Muddy Waters Research, is establishing a new long-only fund dedicated to the region, marking a definitive shift for one of the most recognizable bearish voices in global finance.

Context — why this matters now

A short-seller of Block’s notoriety turning long is a rare signal. The last comparable move by a major activist short-seller was in 2021, when Andrew Left of Citron Research announced he would no longer publish short reports, citing market manipulation by retail traders. That shift occurred as the S&P 500 posted a 26.9% annual return during a period of extreme monetary accommodation.

The current macro backdrop features a stabilizing interest rate environment, with the Bank of Korea holding its policy rate at 3.25% for the past three meetings. Global supply chain realignment and sustained demand for Korean semiconductor and battery technology have created a strong earnings cycle.

The catalyst for this specific shift appears to be the culmination of sustained structural reforms and corporate governance improvements in South Korea. Initiatives like the Korean Corporate Value-up Program, launched in 2023, have forced companies to address persistent ‘Korea discount’ factors, including low shareholder returns and opaque cross-holding structures. The resulting re-rating of equity valuations has outpaced even optimistic forecasts.

Data — what the numbers show

The Kospi index closed at 3,450.72 on 21 May, a gain of 58% from its level of 2,183.51 one year prior. This performance eclipses the 24% return of the S&P 500 and the 31% return of the Nikkei 225 over the same period.

Foreign institutional investors purchased a net $12.4 billion of Korean equities in the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly inflow since 2012. The forward price-to-earnings ratio for the Kospi has expanded from 9.2x to 14.7x over the past 18 months.

Metric	Pre-2025 Level	Current Level (May 2026)
Kospi Index	~2,200	3,450.72
Foreign Net Buy (Q1)	Avg. $3.1B (2020-2024)	$12.4B
Forward P/E Ratio	9.2x	14.7x

The average dividend yield for the top 30 Kospi constituents has risen from 1.8% to 2.6%, reflecting enhanced shareholder return policies. Short interest as a percentage of Kospi market float has fallen to 3.1%, down from a five-year average of 5.8%.

Analysis — what it means for markets / sectors / tickers

The most direct beneficiaries are likely large-cap exporters and financials central to the value-up narrative. Samsung Electronics (005930) and SK Hynix (000660) stand to gain from both sector tailwinds and improved governance scoring. Financial holding companies like KB Financial Group (105560) and Shinhan Financial Group (055550) benefit from higher valuations of their equity holdings and increased dividend payouts.

A crucial limitation to the bullish thesis is Korea’s sensitivity to global semiconductor cycles and potential currency volatility. The Korean won has appreciated 8% against the US dollar year-to-date, which could pressure export margins if the trend accelerates.

Positioning data shows hedge funds have increased net long exposure to Korea by 40% over the last quarter according to prime broker reports. Flow is rotating out of traditional short targets in China and into long positions in Korea and Japan, a clear regional reallocation.

Outlook — what to watch next

Immediate catalysts include the next earnings season for major Korean conglomerates, beginning with Samsung on 31 July 2026. Markets will scrutinize guidance for capital expenditure and shareholder return ratios. The Bank of Korea’s next policy meeting on 25 July is critical for assessing whether the current rate-hold stance persists.

Key technical levels for the Kospi include near-term support at 3,350, the 50-day moving average, and psychological resistance at the 3,500 level. A sustained break above 3,500 could trigger further algorithmic buying and target the 3,700 zone.

The success of Block’s new long-only fund will be measured against its first closure deadline in Q3 2026. Its capital raise will serve as a tangible indicator of institutional appetite for this specific strategic pivot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'The Assassin' going long mean for retail investors?

For retail investors, a famed short-seller's endorsement adds a layer of institutional credibility to the Korean equity rally. It signals that fundamental, not just speculative, improvements are recognized by sophisticated capital. Retail flows often follow such high-profile validation, but the risk is entering a trade after a 58% annual run-up, which increases vulnerability to a sharp correction on any negative news.

How does Carson Block's shift compare to other short-seller reversals?

Block’s move is more definitive than prior reversals. Unlike Citron’s 2021 cessation of short publishing, Block is actively raising capital for a dedicated long fund, a capital commitment that aligns his firm’s economics directly with Korean market gains. This mirrors a smaller-scale 2018 shift by Glaucus Research, which launched a long-biased fund after years of short activism, though that fund focused on global special situations.

What is the historical context for short interest in the Kospi?

Historically, the Kospi has carried higher short interest than many developed markets, averaging near 6% of float, partly due to the popularity of structured products and hedging by foreign investors. The current drop to 3.1% reflects a powerful unwind of bearish bets. The last time short interest was this low was in early 2018, preceding a 17% market correction over the next six months, highlighting the contrarian signal of extremely low short interest.

Bottom Line

Carson Block’s strategic pivot is a high-conviction signal that South Korea’s corporate reform cycle has fundamentally altered its investment risk profile.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. CFD trading carries high risk of capital loss.