16.03.202607:15:28UTC+00South Korean Shares Close Higher on Chip Gains

The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.14% to close at 5,550 on Monday, snapping a two-day losing streak as strong gains in major semiconductor stocks lifted the index after a volatile session. Technology heavyweights led the advance, with Samsung Electronics up 2.83% and SK hynix surging 7.03%, supported by persistent optimism over demand for AI-related memory chips. The rally was largely concentrated in the tech sector, while many other shares lagged as investors stayed cautious amid mounting geopolitical risks. Escalating tensions in the Middle East kept energy markets on edge, with Brent crude trading near $105 per barrel on concerns about possible disruptions to shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The South Korean won also came under pressure, briefly weakening beyond 1,500 per dollar for the first time since 2009, underscoring worries about imported inflation in the energy‑dependent economy.