The benchmark KOSPI rose more than 4% to around 5,890 on Thursday, recovering part of the previous session's losses as Samsung Electronics rallied after reporting record quarterly earnings.
Samsung climbed nearly 3% after posting stronger-than-expected results, with record semiconductor operating profit driven by robust AI-related memory demand and expecting continued strength in AI infrastructure spending.
Additional support came from bargain hunting following the index's nearly 16% two-day slump, while upbeat earnings from Microsoft helped ease concerns over AI spending and lifted sentiment toward global technology shares.
Other notable gainers included Hyundai Motor (1.6%), LG Energy Solution (7.2%), KB Financial Group (5.5%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (5.1%).
However, gains were tempered by lingering caution after the Federal Reserve maintained a higher-for-longer policy stance, while renewed US strikes on Iran kept geopolitical risks elevated.