South Korean stocks traded higher on the first trading day of 2026, led by sharp gains in large-cap semiconductor shares. The benchmark KOSPI index rose 1.1% to 4,260.55 as of 11:20 a.m. Retail investors' solid buying drove the extension of gains after an initial higher open.
The opening ceremony for the 2026 securities and derivatives markets took place at the Korea Exchange in Seoul on January 2. The market opened an hour later than usual, at 10 a.m., and the KOSPI index added 24.66 points, or 0.59%, to 4,238.83 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Individual investors were net buyers, offsetting selling by foreign and institutional investors.
By 11:20 a.m., the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index had risen 46.38 points, or 1.1%, to 4,260.55. Sharp gains in large-cap semiconductor shares led the advance. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics soared 3.67%, while chip giant SK hynix surged 2.3%.
Top-cap shares traded mixed. Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace advanced 1.81%, and nuclear power plant builder Doosan Enerbility increased 0.4%. However, leading battery maker LG Energy Solution slid 1.83%, and major chemical firm LG Chem sank 2.25%. Bio giant Samsung Biologics edged down 0.18%, but Celltrion spiked 12.43%.
Leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy remained unchanged, while its rival Hanwha Ocean lost 0.44%. Carmakers traded mixed: top automaker Hyundai Motor went up 0.67%, while its sister affiliate Kia fell 0.57%. Internet portal operator Naver rose 0.82%, but No. 1 steelmaker POSCO dropped 2.46%.
The local currency was trading at 1,442.75 won against the U.S. dollar at 11:20 a.m., down 3.75 won from the previous session. This upward momentum signals a positive start to the year's trading in Seoul.
