An official stands in front of a screen in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Korean stocks finished higher for the second straight session Wednesday as investors hunted for bargains amid the market's recent volatility caused by the U.S.-Iran war. The local currency rose against the greenback.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) moved up 77.36 points, or 1.4 percent, to close at 5,609.95 after rising as high as 5,746.36.
Trade volume was heavy at 1 billion shares worth 26.3 trillion won (US$17.9 billion), with gainers far outpacing losers 701 to 198.
Individual investors sold a net 508 billion won, and foreigners offloaded a net 255.4 billion won. Institutions bought a net 781 billion won.
The Korean stock market has been roiled by the escalating Middle East crisis this week, dipping 5.96 percent Monday and rebounding 5.35 percent Tuesday.
Investors scooped up blue chip shares following the recent correction as they closely monitored the situation at the Strait of Hormuz, where the passage of ships has been virtually suspended in the wake of the conflict.
The KOSPI closed at a record high of 6,307.27 on Feb. 26, soaring from 4,309.63 posted on the first trading day of 2026, largely led by chipmakers amid the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, before facing increased volatility due to the U.S.-Iran conflict.
"Amid lingering geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the stock market is gradually recovering from such issues," said Lee Kyoung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities.
In Seoul, top tech giant Samsung Electronics jumped 1.12 percent to 190,000 won, and SK hynix gained 1.81 percent to 955,000 won.
Source: Korea Times News
