Seoul: South Korean shares traded markedly higher late Thursday morning, boosted by gains in major tech shares, as the central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged. After opening higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 46.69 points, or 1.18 percent, to 4,007.56, as of 11:20 a.m.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Bank of Korea (BOK) kept the key rate steady at 2.5 percent and raised the economic growth forecast for the country to 1 percent for 2025. Technology stocks led the advance during the trading session.
Chip giant Samsung Electronics saw its shares rise by 1.46 percent, while its competitor SK hynix climbed 4.2 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution increased by 1.61 percent, and Hanwha Aerospace Industries gained 1.03 percent.
The local currency was quoted at 1,466.75 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., reflecting a decrease of 1.15 won from the previous session’s close.