Seoul shares open sharply higher amid hopes for end to Middle East war | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started sharply higher Wednesday amid hopes for an end to the monthlong war in the Middle East. President Donald Trump said Tuesday (U.S. time) that the United States could end its military operation against Iran within "two or three weeks," saying, "All I have to do is leave Iran." The conflict, which began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has pushed up global oil prices amid supply disruptions, impacting global financial markets and stoking fears of inflation and an economic slowdown. In this AFP photo, traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 31, 2026, in New York. (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) 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) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang prev Seoul shares open sharply higher amid hopes for end to Middle East war Next Seoul shares open sharply higher amid hopes for end to Middle East war

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OK
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started sharply higher Wednesday amid hopes for an end to the monthlong war in the Middle East.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened at 5,330.04, up 277.58 points, or 5.49 percent, from the previous session.
The surge came as 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," saying, "All I have to do is leave Iran."
The conflict, which began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has pushed up global oil prices amid supply disruptions, impacting global financial markets and stoking fears of inflation and an economic slowdown.
Welcoming the latest developments, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 2.49 percent, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 3.83 percent. The S&P 500 surged 2.91 percent.
In this AFP photo, traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 31, 2026, in New York. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
Keywords
#KOSPI
#stock market
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Seoul shares open sharply higher amid hopes for end to Middle East war
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Seoul shares open sharply higher amid hopes for end to Middle East war

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- In this AFP photo, traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 31, 2026, in New York. (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) 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) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (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," saying, "All I have to do is leave Iran." The conflict, which began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has pushed up global oil prices amid supply disruptions, impacting global financial markets and stoking fears of inflation and an economic slowdown.
- In this AFP photo, traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 31, 2026, in New York. (Yonhap) graceoh@yna.co.kr (END) 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) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Gov't proposes 26.2 tln-won extra budget to cushion impact of Middle East tensions Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (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 news, end, amid topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 442.