The benchmark KOSPI surged more than 6% to around 7,300 on Wednesday, extending the previous session’s gains amid a global rally in technology shares. Softer-than-expected US inflation data lifted semiconductor stocks and tempered expectations of imminent Federal Reserve tightening, bolstering risk appetite.
Heavyweight chipmakers led the advance. SK Hynix jumped nearly 12% after its US-listed shares rallied overnight, supported by a rebound in global semiconductor names and a favorable new brokerage initiation. Samsung Electronics also climbed more than 5%. Among other notable movers, SK Square rose 19.1%, Hyundai Motor 1.2%, LG Energy Solution 3.7%, Kia Corporation 2.5%, and Hanwha Aerospace 5.5%.
Sentiment was further buoyed after South Korea’s finance ministry stated that the country’s economic recovery is strengthening, underpinned by robust exports and improving domestic demand. The ministry also raised its 2026 growth forecast to 3%.
