Seoul, Sep 16: South Korean stocks recovered on Wednesday, with the KOSPI moving back above the 6,700 level as strong gains in semiconductor shares lifted market sentiment.
The KOSPI rose 1.37 per cent to close at 6,717.97. Semiconductor major SK Hynix was among the leading gainers, climbing more than 4 per cent after concerns over a possible worker strike eased following the approval of a revised wage and collective bargaining agreement.
Samsung Electronics also advanced around 2 per cent, adding further support to the benchmark index. The strong performance of major chipmakers helped investors regain confidence in the technology sector.
SK Hynix workers approved the revised agreement after an earlier proposal was rejected. The development reduced uncertainty around a potential disruption to the company’s production operations and was viewed positively by investors.
The semiconductor sector continues to remain an important driver for South Korea’s stock market, supported by demand for memory chips and growing investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Japanese markets also moved higher, with the Nikkei 225 gaining around 0.7 per cent. However, the recovery was not shared by all technology-linked stocks. SoftBank and Kioxia declined during the session, showing mixed investor sentiment across the regional technology sector.
Market participants continue to monitor global interest rates, bond yields, energy prices and demand for technology products. Developments in the semiconductor industry remain particularly important for Asian markets because of the sector’s role in regional exports and global supply chains.
The latest movement in South Korean equities highlights the continued influence of semiconductor companies on regional markets, while the resolution of labour uncertainty at SK Hynix provided an additional positive factor for investors.