The Kospi has crossed 8,000 for the first time under President Lee Jae Myung, driven by semiconductor gains and government reforms.
On Tuesday the Kospi closed at 8047.51, up 199.80 points, marking the first close above 8,000. The index stood at 2770.84 on the day President Lee Jae Myung took office in June 2025.
Samsung Electronics market value rose to 1669 trillion won from 336 trillion won, while SK hynix climbed to 1339 trillion won from 151 trillion won. The two firms now represent 42.4 percent of total market capitalization.
The government introduced three rounds of Commercial Act changes and a one-strike-out rule for market manipulation. It also raised whistleblower rewards and formed a joint task force with the FSC, FSS and KRX.
Eighty-four percent of listed companies posted losses or traded flat as of May 19, and margin loans reached 25.4 trillion won. Analysts at Nomura and JPMorgan still see the index reaching 10,000 later this year.
