The benchmark KOSPI rose more than 1% to around 7,120 on Tuesday, extending its advance for a third straight session as a rally in US AI-related stocks boosted Korean chipmakers. The Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.3% to a record high, while US semiconductor shares also rallied, reinforcing optimism over AI-driven demand.
Among heavyweight names, Samsung Electronics gained over 2% and SK hynix nearly 3%. Other notable risers included SK Square (2.9%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (5.8%), Hyundai Motor (2.3%), LG Electronics (5.9%), Hyundai Mobis (2.3%), LS Electric (3.1%), and SK Inc (1.7%).
Sentiment was further supported by lower oil prices and softer US Treasury yields, which helped ease concerns about imported inflation and rising borrowing costs. At the same time, investors stayed focused on the upcoming US–China summit, where AI, tariffs, and rare earths are expected to be high on the agenda, with any developments likely to have implications for trade and technology supply chains.
