(LEAD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS more info throughout; CHANGES photo) SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks finished over 1 percent higher Monday on gains in chipmakers, snapping a two-day losing streak, despite heightened uncertainty over hostilities in the Middle East that continued to keep oil prices elevated. Trading volume was heavy at 1.07 billion shares worth 21.6 trillion won (US$14.4 billion), with losers far outpacing gainers 642 to 250. The won initially fell past the 1,500-won level against the dollar early Monday but later trimmed its losses. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #KOSPI Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N. Korea holds parliamentary elections prev (LEAD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines Next (LEAD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines

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OK
(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS more info throughout; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks finished over 1 percent higher Monday on gains in chipmakers, snapping a two-day losing streak, despite heightened uncertainty over hostilities in the Middle East that continued to keep oil prices elevated. The local currency lost ground against the greenback.
After choppy trading, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 62.61 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 5,549.85.
Trading volume was heavy at 1.07 billion shares worth 21.6 trillion won (US$14.4 billion), with losers far outpacing gainers 642 to 250.
Foreign investors sold a net 848.1 billion won, while individuals and institutions bought a net 717.5 billion won and 89.7 billion won, respectively.
A dealing room at Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 16, 2026 (Yonhap)
"The KOSPI outperformed other Asian markets as semiconductor stocks advanced, driven by growing expectations ahead of the upcoming GTC event hosted by Nvidia and the earnings release from Micron Technology," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daeshin Securities.
Nvidia hosts its GTC conference at Silicon Valley this week, where it is expected to show off the latest advances in chips and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
Most Asian markets closed lower, as global crude prices continued to fluctuate as U.S. President Donald Trump increased pressure on nations to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In Seoul, most large large-cap shares closed mixed, with chip shares leading the gains.
Tech giant Samsung Electronics rose 2.83 percent to 188,700 won, while SK hynix added 7.03 percent to 974,000 won.
In contrast, auto shares closed in negative territory. Top automaker Hyundai Motor fell 2.13 percent to 506,000 won and its smaller affiliate Kia lost 1.4 percent to 162,000 won.
The Korean won was trading at 1,497.5 won per U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., down 3.8 won from the previous session.
The won initially fell past the 1,500-won level against the dollar early Monday but later trimmed its losses.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- The won initially fell past the 1,500-won level against the dollar early Monday but later trimmed its losses. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #KOSPI Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- OK (ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS more info throughout; CHANGES photo) SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks finished over 1 percent higher Monday on gains in chipmakers, snapping a two-day losing streak, despite heightened uncertainty over hostilities in the Middle East that continued to keep oil prices elevated.
- The won initially fell past the 1,500-won level against the dollar early Monday but later trimmed its losses. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #KOSPI Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills (LEAD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers won, korea, lead topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 608.