29.12.202501:54:55UTC+00Korean Shares Rise on Semiconductor Rally

The benchmark KOSPI index rose by 1.66% on Monday, reaching approximately 4,197, as semiconductor stocks experienced a rally fueled by sustained optimism regarding demand driven by artificial intelligence advancements. Notable contributors to this upward trend included Samsung Electronics, with a 2.05% increase, SK Hynix rising by 5.68%, Doosan Enerbility climbing by 1.36%, Hanwha Aerospace surging 7.47%, and SK Square improving by 4.04%. The significant rise in Hanwha Aerospace’s stocks followed their announcement of securing a 103.3 billion KRW contract from the government to develop the propulsion system for South Korea’s inaugural lunar lander, planned for a 2032 launch. Adding to the positive sentiment, business confidence posted a modest rise for the first quarter of 2026. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that the business sentiment index for January through March increased to 77, up from 74 in the previous quarter.