Why did Seoul shares rise sharply despite Middle East tensions?

Tech shares led the opening rally, with semiconductor stocks climbing strongly. The article says overnight military attacks intensified between the United States and Iran, but Seoul stocks still advanced on gains in chip-related shares.

How much did Samsung Electronics and SK hynix gain in early Seoul trading?

Samsung Electronics rose 4.4 percent and SK hynix gained 5.89 percent. Hanmi Semiconductor and LG Electronics also posted strong gains, helping drive the market higher.

What was the KOSPI level and won exchange rate in early Monday trading?

The KOSPI stood at 6,909.61, up 3.33 percent, as of 9:15 a.m. The Korean won was trading at 1,344.8 against the U.S. dollar, 5 won stronger than the previous stock trading session.

Seoul shares open sharply higher on tech gains despite heightened Middle East tensions

Listen

Summary

Korean stocks opened sharply higher Monday, led by tech shares, despite heightened military tensions in the Middle East. The benchmark KOSPI rose 222.40 points, or 3.33 percent, to 6,909.61 as of 9:15 a.m. Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Hanmi Semiconductor and LG Electronics all surged, while the won traded stronger at 1,344.8 against the U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

The KOSPI rose 222.40 points, or 3.33 percent, to 6,909.61 as of 9:15 a.m.
Samsung Electronics jumped 4.4 percent and SK hynix soared 5.89 percent in early trading.
Hanmi Semiconductor climbed 5.22 percent, and LG Electronics surged 8.44 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,344.8 won against the U.S. dollar, up 5 won from the previous stock trading session.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 7, 2026 9:23 am KST
Updated Sep 7, 2026 9:34 am KST

The won-dollar exchange rate and the KOSPI index can be seen on a screen at a dealing room in Hana Bank, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Korean stocks started sharply higher Monday, driven by gains in tech shares, despite heightened military tensions in the Middle East.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 222.40 points, or 3.33 percent, to 6,909.61 as of 9:15 a.m.

Overnight, military attacks intensified between the United States and Iran.

Tehran said it targeted three oil tankers using an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as several U.S.-linked vessels, in retaliation for U.S. attacks on Iranian tankers.

On Friday, U.S. stocks closed lower on strong job data, which raised the possibility of rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.51 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.29 percent.

However, the PHLX semiconductor index rose 3.38 percent on the release of OpenAI's new GPT-6 Astra, which is expected to boost demand for memory chips.

In Seoul, tech shares led the strong opening.

Chip giant Samsung Electronics jumped 4.4 percent, and its rival SK hynix soared 5.89 percent.

Hanmi Semiconductor, a leading chip manufacturing equipment firm, vaulted 5.22 percent, and LG Electronics surged 8.44 percent.

Top carmaker Hyundai Motor advanced 1.96 percent and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace climbed 1.04 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,344.8 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 5 won from the previous stock trading session.

Explore More