Seoul: South Korean stocks opened higher Monday, led by gains from top-cap Samsung Electronics and other major tech shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 19.51 points, or 0.78 percent, to 2,520.75 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The increase was driven by institutional buying, which offset selling by foreigners and retail investors.According to Yonhap News Agency, the KOSPI had risen over 2,500 points on Friday for the first time in 11 sessions following a sharp drop the previous week amid concerns over expected policy changes by the new Donald Trump administration. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics advanced 2.32 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 2.35 percent. Top steelmaker POSCO Holdings added 1.15 percent, and LG Chem went up 2.01 percent.Major bio shares opened higher, with Samsung Biologics rising 0.43 percent and Celltrion adding 0.35 percent. Carmakers opened mixed as top automaker Hyundai Motor remained unchanged, while its sister affiliate Kia sank 1.33 percent. KB Financial Group inched down 0.3 percent, and internet platform giant Naver lost 0.63 percent.The local currency was trading at 1,398.80 won against the greenback as of 9:15 a.m., up 3 won from the previous session.
- October 12, 2026
