FnGuide data show falls in Samsung and SK Hynix shares trimmed the market value of South Korean pension funds' equity holdings by $137 billion.

South Korea Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lee Jong-il said the economy could outpace the IMF's 3.3% growth forecast, barring major external shocks, citing strong third-quarter exports and facility investment. The IMF raised its Korea growth forecast to 3.3%—up 0.7 percentage points from July—on strength in the global semiconductor sector. Lee said if export and capex momentum persists, growth could reach around 3.5% (mid-3% range).

Iran's parliament voted online on the 18th to approve Ahraqi as the country's new defense minister, replacing the late Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was killed in US and Israeli strikes. The session was chaired by parliament speaker Ghalibaf.