28.04.202601:34:54UTC+00South Korean Shares Set New Record

The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 1% to around 6,700 on Tuesday, extending its record-setting advance on the back of a tech-led global rally. Sentiment improved as fresh all-time highs on Wall Street and optimism ahead of upcoming US Big Tech earnings bolstered South Korea’s semiconductor and AI-linked heavyweights. SK hynix gained 2.2%, while Samsung Electronics inched up 0.2%. Other notable advancers included SK Square (4.7%), Samsung SDI (3.9%), Hyundai Motor (4.4%), and LG Energy Solution (1.0%).

Domestic corporate developments added further support. Samsung SDI swung back to profit on the strength of ESS battery sales, and Google DeepMind’s efforts to deepen AI partnerships with Samsung, SK hynix, Hyundai, and LG underpinned optimism about Korea’s long-term technology competitiveness. However, persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East kept Brent crude above $100 per barrel, capping broader market gains amid concerns over higher energy costs and renewed inflationary pressures.