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Seoul shares sharply up late Monday morning on strong chip gains

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Summary

Korean stocks traded sharply higher late Monday morning as investors bought semiconductor shares on optimism over AI-related demand. The KOSPI was up 2.97 percent at 6,886.09 as of 11:20 a.m. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led gains. The won was quoted at 1,344.15 against the U.S. dollar.

Key Facts

  • The KOSPI opened 3.34 percent higher and was up 198.88 points, or 2.97 percent, to 6,886.09 at 11:20 a.m.
  • The PHLX semiconductor index rose 3.38 percent after the release of OpenAI’s new GPT-6 Astra, which was expected to boost demand for memory chips.
  • Samsung Electronics rose 3.91 percent and SK hynix jumped 5.4 percent in Seoul trading.
  • SK Square climbed 5.67 percent and Hanmi Semiconductor vaulted 5.43 percent.
  • The Korean won was quoted at 1,344.15 won against the U.S. dollar, up 5.65 won from the previous stock trading session close.
By Yonhap
  • Published Sep 7, 2026 9:23 am KST
  • Updated Sep 7, 2026 11:39 am KST
The won-dollar exchange rate and the KOSPI index can be seen on a screen at a dealing room in Hana Bank, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

The won-dollar exchange rate and the KOSPI index can be seen on a screen at a dealing room in Hana Bank, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Korean stocks traded sharply higher late Monday morning as investors scooped up semiconductor shares on optimism on further artificial intelligence (AI)-related demand.

Opening 3.34 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was trading up 198.88 points, or 2.97 percent, to 6,886.09, as of 11:20 a.m.

Wall Street closed lower Friday, but the PHLX semiconductor index rose 3.38 percent on the release of OpenAI's new GPT-6 Astra, which is expected to boost demand for memory chips.

In Seoul, tech shares traded in positive territory.

Chip giant Samsung Electronics rose 3.91 percent, and its rival SK hynix jumped 5.4 percent.

SK Square, the parent of SK hynix, soared 5.67 percent, and Hanmi Semiconductor, a leading chip equipment firm, vaulted 5.43 percent.

Energy company Doosan Enerbility climbed 5.93 percent and entertainment giant CJ ENM added 3.48 percent.

However, leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 0.11 percent and major pharma Celltrion declined 0.96 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,344.15 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 5.65 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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