The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.5% to around 4,125 on Tuesday, extending gains from the previous session, following Wall Street’s rally and strength across key sectors. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix advanced 1.5% and 1.2% respectively, tracking US tech gains and supporting expectations of a year-end AI-driven rally. Semiconductor sentiment was further lifted by reports that Samsung’s next-generation HBM4 memory performed well in late-stage tests with Nvidia. Moreover, shipbuilding and defense stocks also outperformed after US President Trump said Hanwha would work with the US Navy on new frigate construction. Hanwha Ocean jumped 8.7%, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (2.1%) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore (1.8%) posted solid gains. At the same time, South Korea’s exports remain on track for a 2025 record, with strong demand for semiconductors, automobiles and ships underscoring the resilience of the country’s key growth engines.
