South Korean shares opened nearly 3 percent higher on Wednesday, driven by sharp gains in blue-chip tech stocks despite Middle East uncertainties. The benchmark KOSPI jumped 162.04 points, or 2.87 percent, to 5,802.52 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Semiconductor firms led the rally following Nvidia's annual tech conference.
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, South Korean shares kicked off nearly 3 percent higher, propelled by sharp gains in blue-chip tech stocks despite ongoing uncertainties in the Middle East. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 162.04 points, or 2.87 percent, to 5,802.52 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major U.S. indexes closed higher for the second straight session amid a rebound in global oil prices: the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.1 percent, the Nasdaq composite rose 0.5 percent, and the S&P 500 gained 0.2 percent. Investors are watching the Middle East situation, including hopes for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil export route, and the ongoing two-day U.S. Federal Open Market Committee meeting for a rate decision. In Seoul, top-cap tech shares led the advance on expectations for strong chip sector performance. Samsung Electronics surged 4.44 percent, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix soared 3.71 percent. The two firms were in the spotlight at U.S. chip giant Nvidia's annual tech conference held Tuesday, boosting artificial intelligence (AI) sector growth outlook. Auto giant Hyundai Motor climbed 2.3 percent and sister firm Kia advanced 2.21 percent. AI investment firm SK Square shot up 5.45 percent, power plant maker Doosan Enerbility expanded 2.59 percent, trading firm Samsung C&T jumped 5.1 percent, and Samsung Life Insurance escalated 8.53 percent. Major defense firm Hanwha Aerospace was among the few decliners, losing 1.58 percent. The Korean won traded at 1,487 won against the U.S. dollar at 9:15 a.m., up 6.6 won from the previous session.
