KOSPI struggled to regain its footing Monday after plunging more than 11 percent last week. The benchmark index barely held above the 5,000 mark, underscoring the volatility that has gripped the market since concerns over tighter U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) regulation rattled semiconductor stocks following the Democrats’ sweeping midterm election victory on Nov. 3. The index opened at 5,043.20, down 0.5 percent from the previous close, according to the Korea Exchange. Institutional buying, alongside a modest rebound in semiconductor heavyweights, lifted it back above 5,100 during the session. The gains proved short-lived, however, as foreign selling pushed KOSPI lower again, with the index eventually closing at 5,018.85, down 0.81 percent. Institutions bought a net 719 billion won ($533.26 million), while foreign and retail investors sold a net 658 billion won and 511 billion won, respectively. Shares of the country’s two semiconductor heavyweights edged higher. SK hynix rose 0.35 percent to 1.14 million won, while Samsung Electronics gained 0.64 percent to close at 189,900 won.