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Seoul shares open 3.3 pct higher on tech gains

Seoul shares opened higher on Thursday as investors bought bargain-priced chip stocks following the previous session's steep sell-off. The KOSPI rose 3.3 percent, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix leading gains, though U.S. markets ended mixed overnight.

By Tertius News AI Desk 1 outlet · 5 articles Version 1 Coverage Jul 1–9, 2026 Published Aug 15

Lead

Seoul shares opened higher on Thursday as investors scooped up bargain-priced chip stocks following the previous session's steep sell-off, according to Yonhap News. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 243.11 points, or 3.3 percent, to 7,489.90 at the opening bell.

In a separate report, Yonhap News noted the KOSPI had climbed 285.92 points, or 3.95 percent, to 7,532.71 as of 9:15 a.m. The difference in figures reflects the timing of the reports, with the latter updated later in the morning.

Coverage Comparison

Yonhap News provided multiple reports on the market's opening, with some differences in the reported figures. One report, published at the opening bell, put the KOSPI at 7,489.90, up 3.3 percent. Another, updated as of 9:15 a.m., showed the index at 7,532.71, up 3.95 percent. Both attributed the gains to bargain hunting in chip stocks following the previous session's steep sell-off.

The reports also noted that U.S. stocks ended mixed overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 1.09 percent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2 percent. Investor concerns about renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, as well as uncertainty over the next phase of artificial intelligence (AI) trade, were cited in both reports.

Additional Yonhap News coverage from earlier in the week showed similar patterns of gains in Seoul shares. On Monday, the KOSPI opened higher, with one report showing a rise of 198.39 points, or 2.45 percent, to 8,286.73 as of 9:20 a.m., and another showing a rise of 86.11 points, or 1.06 percent, to 8,174.45 at the opening bell. Both Monday reports attributed gains to technology companies ahead of major companies' second-quarter earnings results.

On Wednesday, Seoul stocks also opened higher, with the KOSPI up 115.02 points, or 1.36 percent, at 8,591.5, boosted by a continued chip rally and prospects for peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.

Key Claims

KOSPI gains on Thursday: The benchmark index rose 243.11 points, or 3.3 percent, to 7,489.90 at the opening bell, according to one Yonhap News report. Another report, as of 9:15 a.m., showed a rise of 285.92 points, or 3.95 percent, to 7,532.71.
Chip stocks lead: Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 3.06 percent in one report and 4.5 percent in another, while SK hynix climbed 6.79 percent in the first report and surged 8.62 percent in the second.
U.S. markets mixed: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.09 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2 percent, as reported by Yonhap News.
Korean won movement: The Korean won was trading at 1,499.35 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, up 3.05 won from the previous session, according to one Yonhap News report. A separate Monday report cited the won at 1,533.90 won, down 8.3 won.
Monday's opening: The KOSPI rose 198.39 points, or 2.45 percent, to 8,286.73 as of 9:20 a.m., with Samsung Electronics up 2.75 percent and SK hynix up 0.45 percent, as reported by Yonhap News.
Wednesday's opening: The KOSPI opened up 115.02 points, or 1.36 percent, at 8,591.5, according to Yonhap News, with investors also watching the National Pension Service's stock portfolio rebalancing.