23.12.202502:58:00UTC+00South Korean Shares Rise on Wall Street Tech Rally

On Tuesday, the benchmark KOSPI increased by 0.5%, reaching approximately 4,125, continuing its upward trend from the previous session. This rise can be attributed to positive momentum from Wall Street's tech-driven rebound, which positively impacted major semiconductor stocks. Notably, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix saw gains of 1.5% and 1.2%, mirroring gains in US tech sectors and fueling expectations of an AI-driven rally by the year's end. The semiconductor industry received an additional boost with reports indicating Samsung's next-generation HBM4 memory achieved successful outcomes in late-stage testing with Nvidia. Furthermore, the shipbuilding and defense sectors performed robustly following comments by former US President Trump that Hanwha would collaborate with the US Navy on constructing new frigates. Consequently, Hanwha Ocean surged by 8.7%, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore saw respectable increases of 2.1% and 1.8%, respectively. Simultaneously, South Korea's exports are projected to hit a record high by 2025, driven by strong demand in semiconductors, automobiles, and ships—highlighting the resilience of the nation's key economic drivers.