FX.co ★ South Korean Shares Extend Record Rally

The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 1% to around 6,580 on Monday, extending its rally to a new record high, driven by heavyweight chipmakers and stronger domestic economic signals. Semiconductor stocks led the advance, with SK hynix jumping 5.2% on sustained optimism over its leadership in AI memory, and Samsung Electronics adding 1.6% as investors looked ahead to earnings reports from major global technology companies. Additional notable gains were recorded in Hyundai Motor (3.0%), SK Square (6.6%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (1.0%), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (1.5%), and LS Electric (9.7%). Market sentiment was further buoyed by stronger-than-expected South Korean economic growth, which tempered expectations of imminent rate cuts by the Bank of Korea and reinforced confidence in the economy’s resilience. At the same time, investors largely shrugged off stalled US–Iran peace talks and higher oil prices, placing greater emphasis on corporate performance and policy outlooks than on geopolitical risks.