Seoul stocks jump over 5 pct on chip rally | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 284.55 points, or 5.04 percent, to 5,925.03. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the price of Samsung Electronics is displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 18, 2026. (Yonhap) fairydust@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #KOSPI #stocks Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) N. Korea with top priority: presidential aide Gov't to raise terror alert by 1 notch ahead of BTS concert (LEAD) Defense chief says received no official U.S. request on sending warships to Middle East Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Preparations for BTS' Gwanghwamun concert Buddhist monks' anti-war rally Preparations for BTS' Gwanghwamun concert N. Korea's national sports festival prev Seoul stocks jump over 5 pct on chip rally Next Seoul stocks jump over 5 pct on chip rally

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SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks surged more than 5 percent Wednesday, on a semiconductor rally boosted by the ongoing U.S. chip giant Nvidia's global artificial intelligence (AI) conference. The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 284.55 points, or 5.04 percent, to 5,925.03.
The index came under strong buying pressure from foreigners and institutional investors, triggering the Korea Exchange (KRX), the country's main bourse operator, to issue a buy-side sidecar near the closing bell.
Program trading for the KOSPI was suspended for five minutes at 2:34 p.m., according to the KRX.
Investors' appetite for semiconductors increased, following remarks from Nvidia's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang on Samsung Electronics, Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities, said.
During the ongoing four-day event in California, Huang said on Monday he wants to "thank Samsung, who manufactures the Groq LP30 chip" for the company, adding that the chips are in production and would be shipped in the second half of this year.
"The stock market's sensitivity to geopolitical issues in the Middle East is markedly declining," Lee added.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the price of Samsung Electronics is displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 18, 2026. (Yonhap)
fairydust@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Seoul stocks jump over 5 pct on chip rally
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Seoul stocks jump over 5 pct on chip rally

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- The index came under strong buying pressure from foreigners and institutional investors, triggering the Korea Exchange (KRX), the country's main bourse operator, to issue a buy-side sidecar near the closing bell.

### Areas for Consideration
- The index came under strong buying pressure from foreigners and institutional investors, triggering the Korea Exchange (KRX), the country's main bourse operator, to issue a buy-side sidecar near the closing bell.
- The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the price of Samsung Electronics is displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 18, 2026. (Yonhap) fairydust@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #KOSPI #stocks Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index and the price of Samsung Electronics is displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 18, 2026. (Yonhap) fairydust@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #KOSPI #stocks Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump says U.S. no longer needs assistance from NATO allies, S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, seoul, stocks topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 496.