FX.co ★ South Korean Shares Climb to Record High

The KOSPI index soared by 1.8% on Thursday, reaching an unprecedented high of approximately 5,000. This upward momentum was primarily fueled by robust performances from major semiconductor companies amid heightened demand driven by artificial intelligence innovations. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix saw gains of 2.9% and 2.2%, respectively, as escalating memory prices and limited supply conditions sustained their earnings momentum, underscoring South Korea's strategic advantage in the global AI investment landscape. Other notable rises included Hyundai Motor at 1.6%, LG Energy Solution at 4.4%, Doosan Enerbility at 1.8%, SK Square at 3.3%, and Naver at 3.1%. Market sentiment was further buoyed by a regional shift towards risk-taking after former U.S. President Donald Trump retracted tariff threats against European countries, contributing to reduced global market volatility. This rally also mirrors continued optimism regarding capital market reforms aimed at reducing the "Korea discount," thus enticing investors to reassess South Korean equities despite prevailing economic challenges.