(LEAD) Seoul stocks jump over 8 pct amid hopes for end to Middle East conflict | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS more details from para 3, additional photo) SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks surged Wednesday, led by gains in chipmakers and other big-cap tech shares, as hopes grew for a possible end to the U.S.-Iran conflict. President Donald Trump said Tuesday (U.S. time) that the United States could end its military operation against Iran within "two or three weeks," adding, "All I have to do is leave Iran." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also told European Council President Antonio Costa that Tehran has the "necessary will" to end the war, provided its adversaries guarantee it will not reignite, according to foreign media reports. Korea's monthly exports top US$80 bln mark for 1st time in March (LEAD) Seoul launches new consultation body of top finance officials for macroeconomic response Keywords #KOSPI #stock market Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. Korea Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang prev (LEAD) Seoul stocks jump over 8 pct amid hopes for end to Middle East conflict Next (LEAD) Seoul stocks jump over 8 pct amid hopes for end to Middle East conflict

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(ATTN: ADDS more details from para 3, additional photo)
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks surged Wednesday, led by gains in chipmakers and other big-cap tech shares, as hopes grew for a possible end to the U.S.-Iran conflict. The Korean won strengthened sharply against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 426.24 points, or 8.44 percent, to 5,478.7, snapping a four-day losing streak.
Wednesday's gain marked the second-largest increase ever, with the sharpest gain recorded on March 5 when the index jumped 490.36 points.
Trade volume was moderate at 942.93 million shares worth 27.31 trillion won (US$18.19 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 837 to 70.
Foreigners and retail investors sold a net 612.61 billion won and 3.76 trillion won worth of shares, respectively, while institutions purchased a net 4.03 trillion won worth of shares.
Tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, the index opened nearly 5.5 percent higher and extended gains on solid institutional buying.
The Korea Exchange (KRX), the country's main bourse operator, activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar about seven minutes after the opening bell, temporarily halting program-driven buy orders in KOSPI futures.
A buy-side sidecar was also triggered on the tech-heavy Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (KOSDAQ) market. The KOSDAQ finished at 1,116.18 by rising 6.06 percent Wednesday.
This combined image with AP and EPA photos shows U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. (Yonhap)
The rally came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday (U.S. time) that the United States could end its military operation against Iran within "two or three weeks," adding, "All I have to do is leave Iran."
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also told European Council President Antonio Costa that Tehran has the "necessary will" to end the war, provided its adversaries guarantee it will not reignite, according to foreign media reports.
The conflict, which began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has driven up global oil prices amid supply disruptions, rattling financial markets and fueling concerns over inflation and a potential economic slowdown.
"The KOSPI fell 19.1 percent from its recent peak in the first week of March and could decline further. But corporate earnings remain strong, suggesting the stock market can rebound even after a significant shock," a monthly outlook report by KB Securities said.
Optimism over South Korea's inclusion in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI) also boosted investor sentiment.
Following its inclusion in the major global bond index managed by Britain-based index provider FTSE Russell, foreign funds tracking the WGBI are expected to flow into the local market in phases over an eight-month period through November.
Officials work at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on April 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
Big-cap tech shares led the upturn of the market.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics surged 13.4 percent to 189,600 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix soared 10.66 percent to 893,000 won.
Top automaker Hyundai Motor jumped 9.54 percent to 488,000 won, while its sister affiliate Kia advanced 6.96 percent to 155,300 won.
Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 3.17 percent to 407,000 won, and major steelmaker POSCO increased 4.06 percent to 346,000 won.
Bio giant Samsung Biologics climbed 4.52 percent to 1,572,000 won, and Celltrion went up 4.46 percent to 206,000 won.
Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace spiked 6.73 percent to 1,333,000 won, and nuclear power plant builder Doosan Enerbility soared 8.5 percent to 99,600 won. Major financial group KB Financial grew 4.51 percent to 148,300 won.
Shipbuilders finished mixed. Leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy lost 2.9 percent to 451,500 won, while its rival Hanwha Ocean rose 5.66 percent to 127,000 won.
The local currency was quoted at 1,501.3 won against the U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., up 28.8 won from the previous session.
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- But corporate earnings remain strong, suggesting the stock market can rebound even after a significant shock," a monthly outlook report by KB Securities said.

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea's monthly exports top US$80 bln mark for 1st time in March (LEAD) Seoul launches new consultation body of top finance officials for macroeconomic response Keywords #KOSPI #stock market Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- President Donald Trump said Tuesday (U.S. time) that the United States could end its military operation against Iran within "two or three weeks," adding, "All I have to do is leave Iran." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also told European Council President Antonio Costa that Tehran has the "necessary will" to end the war, provided its adversaries guarantee it will not reignite, according to foreign media reports.
- The conflict, which began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has driven up global oil prices amid supply disruptions, rattling financial markets and fueling concerns over inflation and a potential economic slowdown. "The KOSPI fell 19.1 percent from its recent peak in the first week of March and could decline further.
- The local currency was quoted at 1,501.3 won against the U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., up 28.8 won from the previous session. graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) Trump says U.S. might end war with Iran in '2 or 3 weeks' S.
- Korea's monthly exports top US$80 bln mark for 1st time in March (LEAD) Seoul launches new consultation body of top finance officials for macroeconomic response Keywords #KOSPI #stock market Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers won, percent, end topics. Notable strengths include discussion of won. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 964.