The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.65% to close at 4,723 on Wednesday, extending gains for the fourth consecutive session after falling in early trading, supported by a strong performance in chip and biotech stocks. Index heavyweights Samsung Electronics climbed 1.53% and SK Hynix added 0.68%, while biotech names including Samsung Biologics (+1.62%), ABL Bio (+0.61%), and SK Bioscience (+0.96%) also advanced. Other notable gainers were Doosan Enerbility (+3.68%) and Kia Corp (+3.53%). The index ended at a fresh record high, settling above the 4,700-point mark for the first time, and is now up more than 11% so far this year. Sentiment was also supported after the government announced plans to invest KRW 235.1 billion in research projects across the semiconductor, display, and battery sectors, with most of the investment directed toward next-generation chips and automotive processors, reinforcing expectations of continued policy support for key technology industries.
