24.03.202601:39:58UTC+00South Korean Shares Rise on Easing Middle East Tensions

The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 1% to around 5,500 on Tuesday, partially recovering from the previous session’s losses as easing concerns over Middle East tensions bolstered global risk appetite. Oil prices fell after US President Donald Trump postponed planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, raising hopes for de-escalation and prompting investors to unwind defensive positions that had been built on expectations of a prolonged conflict and a sustained energy shock. Softer crude prices eased pressure on Korea’s inflation outlook and production costs, underpinning a broad-based rebound in equities. Sentiment was further supported by a positive lead from Wall Street, with notable gains in Samsung Electronics (1.3%), SK hynix (3.3%), Hyundai Motor (1.6%), LG Energy Solution (5.8%), and SK Square (4.1%). The Korean won also rebounded from a 17-year low, strengthening against the US dollar and helping stabilize foreign investor sentiment after recent bouts of volatility.