The benchmark KOSPI climbed nearly 6% to around 7,130 on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session as a rebound in global semiconductor stocks boosted investor sentiment.
The rally followed strong gains in US chipmakers, with investors rotating back into AI-related stocks after upbeat corporate earnings helped ease concerns over the sector, while attention shifted to upcoming earnings from major US technology companies for further signals on AI spending and demand.
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the advance, jumping nearly 6% and more than 8%, respectively.
Other notable gainers included SK Square (7.6%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (9.8%), Hyundai Motor (7.3%), LG Energy Solution (3.6%), Hyundai Mobis (9.3%), and Doosan Enerbility (6.4%).
Meanwhile, lingering Middle East tensions and higher oil prices continued to limit broader risk appetite.