[3 Billion Won Wiped Out in Four Weeks: South Korea's Frenzied Stock Trading Exposes Margin Loan Risks] Odaily Planet Daily reports that, according to foreign media, 24-year-old South Korean university student Lee Seung-ho turned 20 million won into 300 million won (approximately $202,500) using 5x leverage, achieving a 15-fold return. However, his gains vanished within just four weeks. The pressure was so overwhelming that he admitted, "I can hardly breathe." For many young South Koreans, the allure of leverage stems from a harsher reality beyond the trading screen. Data shows that an average South Korean worker would need 14 years of full wages to afford a house in Seoul. Young graduates find it difficult to accumulate wealth through traditional means, making high-leverage stock trading apps their only tool for economic equality. Last Thursday, the South Korean government announced a ban on newly launched leveraged exchange-traded funds tied to individual stocks. For retail investors holding these products, the risks are asymmetrical: in such a volatile market environment, leverage accelerates losses during downturns much faster than it amplifies gains during upswings. Lee Seung-ho stated that he understands these risks but remains convinced that leverage is the best path forward. (Jin10)