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Kospi opens higher due to optimism regarding upcoming U.S.-Iran negotiations over cease-fire deal

Published: 10 Apr. 2026, 10:41

An electronic display board shows Korea's financial market at Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul on April 10. [YONHAP]

Seoul shares opened higher on Friday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, as investors remained optimistic over the upcoming U.S.-Iran negotiations following a two-week cease-fire deal.

The benchmark Kospi rose 95.88 points, or 1.66 percent, to 5,873.89 as of 9:15 a.m.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.58 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.83 percent.

In a potential boost to the cease-fire efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday approved direct negotiations with Lebanon, aimed at disarming Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Netanyahu had earlier said there is no cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

The United States and Iran are set to start negotiations to formalize the terms of the cease-fire agreement over the weekend.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he is optimistic about the deal with Iran while warning Tehran about interfering with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Most large-cap stocks traded higher.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 1.72 percent, and its chip rival SK hynix jumped 3.21 percent.

Top carmaker Hyundai Motor gained 0.72 percent, and leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 1.06 percent.

Among decliners, Asiana Airlines fell 0.28 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy Solution declined 1.43 percent.

The local currency strengthened by 4.25 won to trade at 1,478.25 won against the greenback at 9:15 a.m.

Yonhap