The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.8% to around 4,139 on Friday, reversing losses from the previous session as investor sentiment was buoyed by overnight record highs on Wall Street, where tech and AI stocks continued to lead the advance. Holiday-thinned regional trading amplified the influence of US cues, setting a supportive tone for Korean equities. The index was further underpinned by ongoing confidence in the semiconductor supercycle, with heavyweight chipmakers benefiting from sustained optimism around AI-driven demand, particularly for advanced memory and high-performance chips. Samsung Electronics advanced 2.9% while SK Hynix climbed 1.2%, alongside gains in SK Square and Hanwha Ocean, which jumped 4.4% and 1.1% respectively. Moreover, easing concerns over foreign-exchange volatility offered additional support, helping stabilize sentiment after recent swings in the Korean won.
