The KOSPI surged past 6,800 on Thursday, as SK hynix and Samsung Electronics rallied on expectations for increased shareholder returns and easing U.S. Treasury yields boosted risk appetite. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,852.58, up 5.89 percent from the previous session. The index opened 3.23 percent higher and extended its advance, triggering a buying-side sidecar at 9:57 a.m. It was the 49th sidecar activation on KOSPI this year. Foreign investors bought a net 1.7 trillion won ($1.2 billion) of shares, while institutional and retail investors sold a net 219.5 billion won and 2.3 trillion won, respectively. SK hynix surged 12.73 percent to close at 1,691,000 won, while Samsung Electronics climbed 9.49 percent to 271,000 won, as expectations for stronger shareholder payouts fueled demand for the chipmakers. SK hynix announced a 40 trillion won share buyback and cancellation program after the previous session's close, helping reverse profit-taking pressure that had weighed on the stock following its recent rally. The company also strengthened its shareholder return policy, pledging to al