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Kospi, Kosdaq start higher, show recovery signs after Iran war shocks

Published: 05 Mar. 2026, 09:11 Updated: 05 Mar. 2026, 09:49

YOON SO-YEON
[email protected]

Korea's benchmark Kospi starts higher on Thursday morning, March 5. [YONHAP]

Korean stocks started higher on Thursday after plummeting for two days earlier in the week due to uncertainties stemming from the Iran war, as Wall Street rebounded and oil prices calmed.

The Kospi rose to 5,540.80, up 10.92 percent compared to the previous day, at 9:03 a.m. The Kosdaq also soared 9.92 percent to mark 1,076.95 at the same time.

On Wednesday, the Kospi plunged 12.06 percent to close at 5,094.54, marking the sharpest daily decline in history, as investor sentiment was dampened by fears that the Iran crisis could heavily weigh on the export-driven Korean economy.

Overnight on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.49 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.29 percent on eased oil price hikes.

In Seoul, market heavyweights led the rebound.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics soared 13.59 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix surged 15.19 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor skyrocketed 14.57 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution vaulted 8.78 percent.

Samsung Biologics, a leading pharmaceutical firm, rose 5.8 percent, and major banking group KB Financial Group vaulted 8.93 percent.

The Korean won also strengthened to trade at 1,461.7 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m.

BY YOON SO-YEON, YONHAP [[email protected]]