South Korean Shares Breach 8,000 Mark

The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 3% to around 8,100 on Tuesday, extending gains to fresh record highs, as optimism over a potential US-Iran agreement boosted global risk appetite. US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were progressing “nicely,” raising hopes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and easing concerns over disruptions to global oil supplies, which helped push crude prices lower. The rally was further fueled by strength in AI-related semiconductor stocks amid upbeat earnings expectations and robust demand for high-bandwidth memory chips. Samsung Electronics (2.9%) and SK hynix (6.9%) led the gains, while advances also spread across automakers, battery makers, and shipbuilders, including Hyundai Motor (4.6%), Kia Corporation (1.5%), Hanwha Ocean (5.7%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (4.7%), Hyundai Mobis (2.0%), and LG Energy Solution (0.5%).

The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.41% to close at 7,848 on Friday, extending gains for a second straight session and tracking overnight gains on Wall Street amid optimism over US-Iran talks. Iran said the latest US proposal had helped narrow differences between the two sides, fueling hopes for a peace deal and easing concerns over energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, continued strength in South Korea’s semiconductor sector and improving domestic sentiment underpinned the broader market rally. However, gains remained capped by persistent foreign investor selling and rising concentration risk, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix now accounting for nearly half of the benchmark index’s market capitalization. Samsung Electro-Mechanics (10.6%), Doosan Enerbility (2.8%), and Hanwha Aerospace (1.2%) led gains, while Samsung Electronics (-2.3%), SK Hynix (-0.2%), and Hyundai Motor (-1.5%) declined. South Korean markets will be closed May 25 for a public holiday.

The benchmark KOSPI surged 8.42% to close at 7,816 on Thursday, rebounding sharply from the previous session as investor sentiment improved on easing geopolitical concerns and strong momentum in the semiconductor sector. US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were in the “final stages,” helping ease concerns over disruptions in the Middle East and cooling oil prices from recent highs. At the same time, technology shares led the rally amid sustained optimism surrounding AI-related chip demand and robust export growth. Heavyweight Samsung Electronics jumped 8.33%, while SK Hynix advanced 11.23%. Samsung Electronics also reached a tentative wage agreement with its labor union, averting a planned strike that had raised concerns over disruptions to global chip supply chains. Notable gains were also seen in Hyundai Motor (12.50%), SK Square (13.99%), LG Energy Solution (3.90%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (12.91%), Doosan Enerbility (7.21%), and Kia Corporation (12.25%).