The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.97% to close at 6,756 on Monday, recovering part of the previous session's losses as optimism over major AI cooperation agreements boosted technology shares.
Investor sentiment improved after South Korean firms announced a series of AI partnerships with global technology companies, involving about $950 billion worth of projects, highlighted by a $750 billion long-term semiconductor supply deal between SK Group and Nvidia and Nvidia's $1 billion investment in Naver.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix led the advance, rising 1.80% and 3.24%, respectively, alongside gains in Naver (8.43%), LG Energy Solution (1.06%), Samsung Biologics (1.78%), LG Electronics (1.83%), Hanwha Ocean (1.02%), and HD Korea Shipbuilding (1.75%).
Additionally, easing geopolitical tensions supported risk appetite after the US halted strikes on Iran over the weekend, sending oil prices sharply lower.