South Korean Shares Set New Record

The benchmark KOSPI rose nearly 2% to around 9,230 on Monday, reversing losses from the previous session and reaching a fresh record high, led by gains in technology shares. Investor sentiment was supported by data showing South Korea’s exports surged 60.4% year-on-year in the first 20 days of June, with semiconductor shipments nearly tripling amid robust global AI-driven demand. Optimism toward the chip sector was further reinforced by reports that LG Group executives will meet Nvidia officials this week to discuss cooperation in AI and robotics. SK Hynix climbed about 4%, SK Square soared more than 8%, and Samsung Electronics added 1.0%. The export-driven rally offset concerns over renewed Middle East tensions and higher oil prices, as investors continued to monitor developments in US-Iran negotiations and their potential impact on inflation and the Federal Reserve's policy outlook.

The benchmark KOSPI edged down 0.13% to close at 9,052 on Friday, reversing earlier gains, as renewed Middle East uncertainty prompted investors to lock in profits following the market's recent rally to record highs. Sentiment weakened after planned talks between the United States and Iran were cancelled, raising doubts about the durability of the recent peace agreement and weighing on risk appetite across regional markets. Samsung Electronics slipped 1.38% after reaching fresh highs earlier in the session, while Doosan Enerbility (-2.41%), Hanwha Aerospace (-6.48%), and KB Financial Group (-6.48%) also declined. In contrast, SK Hynix remained resilient, advancing 3.35%, alongside SK Square (5.29%) and Hyundai Mobis (1.00%). Despite the retreat, foreign investors remained net buyers of local equities, suggesting underlying demand for South Korean stocks remained intact.

The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 3% to around 9,340 on Friday, extending gains to fresh record highs, as semiconductor stocks continued to drive the rally. SK Hynix gained more than 6%, extending momentum after announcing the shipment of samples of its next-generation 12-layer HBM4E memory chips to key customers, while Samsung Electronics (2.9%) also advanced, alongside SK Square (8.2%), LG Energy Solution (5.0%), and Hyundai Motor (3.5%). Sentiment was further boosted by a strong rally in US semiconductor stocks overnight, with Intel surging after US President Donald Trump said Apple would work with the company to design and manufacture chips in the United States, lifting the broader technology sector. At the same time, easing geopolitical tensions following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding continued to support risk appetite, with South Korean officials saying improving conditions could help reduce supply chain risks and external uncertainties.