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Kospi opens higher despite Trump's renewed threats on Iran

Published: 06 Apr. 2026, 09:44

A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the Kospi on April 6. [YONHAP]

Shares opened higher on Monday despite renewed threats against Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The benchmark Kospi rose 110.84 points, or 2.06 percent, to 5,488.14 as of 9:15 a.m.

Over the weekend, Trump warned of striking Iran's infrastructure unless Tehran opens the crucial Strait of Hormuz and set a deadline for Tuesday evening.

Investors remain cautious over the developments in the Middle East crisis while awaiting earnings guidance from Samsung Electronics this week.

“The Korean stock market is expected to remain volatile amid uncertainties over further escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, as well as Samsung Electronics' earnings guidance due on Tuesday,” Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, said.

Top tech giant Samsung Electronics moved up 3.49 percent, and SK hynix gained 2.17 percent.

Financial firms opened higher, with KB Financial advancing 1.72 percent and Samsung Life Insurance climbing 2.94 percent.

Top carmaker Hyundai Motor rose 0.74 percent, and its sister company Kia gained 0.35 percent. Hanwha Aerospace increased 0.35 percent.

Poongsan, Korea's leading producer of copper alloys, shot up 18.9 percent on reports that Hanwha Aerospace is seeking to take over its ammunition business.

The local currency weakened 5.7 won from the previous session to trade at 1,510.9 won against the greenback at 9:15 a.m.

Yonhap