South Korean Shares Edge Up on Easing Geopolitical Fears

2026-03-20 01:31 By Erika Ordonez 1 min. read

The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.6% to around 5,800 on Friday, edging up from the previous session as easing concerns over a prolonged Middle East conflict lifted risk sentiment.

The move followed signals from the US and Israel indicating restraint in further attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, helping oil prices pull back after surging above $119 per barrel at the height of the escalation.

The retreat in energy prices eased immediate inflation concerns and stabilized global markets, allowing regional equities to recover.

The Korean won also strengthened, reducing pressure on foreign flows and providing additional support to stocks.

Large-cap performance was mixed, with declines in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix limiting broader gains, while LG Energy Solution (+1.1%), Samsung Biologics (+2.5%), and Doosan Enerbility (+1.9%) rose.

Still, the Middle East conflict remains a key risk, with elevated oil prices and lingering supply concerns likely to keep volatility high in the near term.



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South Korean Shares Edge Up on Easing Geopolitical Fears
The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.6% to around 5,800 on Friday, edging up from the previous session as easing concerns over a prolonged Middle East conflict lifted risk sentiment. The move followed signals from the US and Israel indicating restraint in further attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, helping oil prices pull back after surging above $119 per barrel at the height of the escalation. The retreat in energy prices eased immediate inflation concerns and stabilized global markets, allowing regional equities to recover. The Korean won also strengthened, reducing pressure on foreign flows and providing additional support to stocks. Large-cap performance was mixed, with declines in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix limiting broader gains, while LG Energy Solution (+1.1%), Samsung Biologics (+2.5%), and Doosan Enerbility (+1.9%) rose. Still, the Middle East conflict remains a key risk, with elevated oil prices and lingering supply concerns likely to keep volatility high in the near term.
2026-03-20
South Korean Shares Slide on Oil Shock
The benchmark KOSPI fell 2.73% to close at 5,763 on Thursday, ending a three-day rally, as tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher. Brent crude climbed above $107 per barrel following attacks on key energy infrastructure and threats to supply routes, stoking concerns over inflation and rising energy import costs for South Korea. The Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates steady also added to the downside, as investors assessed the impact of higher oil prices on inflation. The Korean won slipped past the 1,500 level against the dollar, reflecting capital outflows and external vulnerability. Asian markets followed Wall Street lower overnight, reinforcing risk-off sentiment. Heavyweight technology shares led losses, including Samsung Electronics (-3.84%) and SK hynix (-4.26%), along with declines in Hyundai Motor (-4.04%), LG Energy Solution (-3.13%), SK Square (-2.38%), Kia Corporation (-2.23%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (-3.39%).
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South Korean Shares Hit 2-Week High
The benchmark KOSPI surged 5.04% to close at 5,925 on Wednesday, its highest level in two weeks, driven by strong gains in technology stocks. Heavyweight semiconductor shares Samsung Electronics (7.53%) and SK hynix (8.87%) advanced sharply on renewed optimism over artificial intelligence demand following updates from Nvidia’s GTC conference, where Korean chipmakers were highlighted as key partners in next-generation AI systems. Other notable gainers included Hyundai Motor (4.41%), SK Square (7.33%), and Kia Corporation (4.66%). Sentiment was also lifted by hopes for policy support ahead of a government market reform meeting. Meanwhile, investors remained cautious over Middle East tensions, with oil price volatility still a risk for South Korea’s import-dependent economy despite recent easing. The Korean won also strengthened as the dollar softened ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision, with rates expected to hold, helping steady sentiment.
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