The benchmark KOSPI climbed 1.48% to around 5,894 on Monday, extending last week’s gains to reach a new record high, buoyed by strong performances in the chip and auto sectors. Leading the advance were Samsung Electronics (+3.05%), SK Hynix (+2.42%), Hyundai Motor (+4.91%), and Kia Corp (+1.69%). Market sentiment was further bolstered by strong trade data, with South Korea’s exports rising 23.5% year-on-year to $43.5 billion in the first 20 days of February, driven by surging semiconductor demand amid the AI boom. Meanwhile, foreign investors have offloaded around 9 trillion won on the main bourse so far this year, mostly in chipmakers, including 9.5 trillion won in Samsung Electronics despite its 59% gain and record 190,000-won price. Analysts noted that these outflows reflect profit-taking and portfolio rebalancing rather than a negative view of the South Korean market.
