Key facts
- South Korean shares opened sharply higher on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
- The KOSPI index rose 4.41 percent to 6,869.06.
- Gains were led by major chipmakers like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
- The rally followed overnight gains in U.S. technology stocks, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite.
- The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar.
Seoul shares opened sharply higher on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) trading up 4.41 percent at 6,869.06. The rally was primarily driven by significant gains in major chipmakers, mirroring an overnight surge in U.S. technology stocks, particularly those associated with artificial intelligence.
After an initial opening gain of 2.96 percent, the KOSPI index climbed further, reaching a 4.41 percent increase by 9:15 a.m. This upward momentum was fueled by strong performances from key industry players. Samsung Electronics, the market bellwether, saw its stock rise by 5.19 percent. Its chipmaking competitor, SK hynix, experienced an even more substantial jump of 7.71 percent. SK Square, the parent company of SK hynix, also surged by 10.16 percent, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an affiliate of Samsung Electronics, recorded a remarkable 13.18 percent increase.
In overnight trading, U.S. markets showed strength in the technology sector. The S&P 500 index closed 0.26 percent higher, nearing a record high, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced by 0.54 percent. Conversely, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a slight dip of 0.04 percent.
The Korean won also showed strength, trading at 1,414.6 won against the U.S. dollar, an appreciation of 3.9 won from the previous day's stock trading close.