Why did Seoul shares rise sharply Thursday morning?

Korean stocks were lifted by a rally in big-cap semiconductor shares. The article also says overnight gains in U.S. artificial intelligence related stocks helped support sentiment in Seoul.

How much did Samsung Electronics and SK hynix gain in morning trade?

Samsung Electronics rose 5.48 percent and SK hynix climbed 7.55 percent as of 11:20 a.m. Their gains helped drive the broader market higher.

What was the Korean won trading at against the U.S. dollar Thursday morning?

The won was quoted at 1,415.1 against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 3.4 won from the previous day’s stock market close. The article gives this as the morning foreign-exchange level alongside the equity gains.

Seoul shares extend gains late Thursday morning on chip rally

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Summary

Korean stocks extended gains Thursday morning, led by a rally in big-cap semiconductor shares. The KOSPI rose 4.19 percent to 6,855 as of 11:20 a.m. Samsung Electronics jumped 5.48 percent and SK hynix climbed 7.55 percent. The won traded at 1,415.1 against the U.S. dollar, up 3.4 won from the previous day.

Key Facts

The benchmark KOSPI was up 275.96 points, or 4.19 percent, to 6,855 at 11:20 a.m.
Samsung Electronics rose 5.48 percent, while SK hynix gained 7.55 percent.
SK Square, the parent of SK hynix, surged 8.98 percent and Samsung Electro-Mechanics advanced 12.73 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,415.1 won against the U.S. dollar at 11:20 a.m.
Overnight, the S&P 500 rose 0.26 percent and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.54 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.04 percent.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 13, 2026 9:32 am KST
Updated Aug 13, 2026 11:37 am KST

Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Korean stocks extended gains Thursday morning, led by a rally in big-cap semiconductor shares.

After opening 2.96 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 275.96 points, or 4.19 percent, to 6,855 as of 11:20 a.m.

Overnight, U.S. stocks tied to the artificial intelligence technology sector rose. The S&P 500 gained 0.26 percent, closing just shy of a record high, while the Nasdaq composite advanced 0.54 percent. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.04 percent.

In Seoul, blue-chip shares led the advance.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose a sharp 5.48 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix also jumped 7.55 percent.

SK Square, the parent of SK hynix, shot up 8.98 percent, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronics component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, surged 12.73 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,415.1 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 3.4 won from the end of stock trading the previous day.

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