Seoul shares ended higher Wednesday as major chipmakers rallied on continued optimism over artificial intelligence, outweighing concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Korean won strengthened against the US dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 97.12 points, or 1.4 percent, to 7,051.64.
Overnight, the Philadelphia semiconductor index increased 1.3 percent despite declines on Wall Street's three main indexes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Global oil prices extended gains amid concerns over potential supply disruptions following another round of strikes on energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
Trade volume was moderate at 318 million shares worth 22.3 trillion won ($16.7 billion), with advancers outnumbering decliners 463 to 398.
Institutions bought a net 941.9 billion won, while foreigners and individuals sold a net 435 billion won and 2.23 trillion won, respectively.
"Despite an uncertain external environment, OpenAI's launch of its latest model, GPT-6 Astra, renewed optimism about AI growth prospects, supporting AI-related stocks," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics was flat at 269,500 won, while its chip rival SK hynix jumped 3.51 percent to 1.86 million won.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronics component affiliate of Samsung Electronics, gained 2.48 percent to 1.4 million won.
Battery makers also advanced after US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized Ford Motor's ties with major Chinese auto firms, raising hopes that Korean electric vehicle battery makers could benefit.
Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution jumped 6.46 percent to 371,000 won, while its smaller rival Samsung SDI surged 8.3 percent to 574,000 won.
Hanwha Ocean went up 2.32 percent to 88,100 won after the shipbuilder said it had been selected as the preferred bidder for a Royal Thai Navy frigate project worth about $500 million.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,336.1 won per US dollar as of 3:30 p.m., up 6.7 won from the previous stock trading session's close. (Yonhap)
