SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap) — Seoul stocks opened at a fresh record high Friday after surging past a new milestone of above 9,000, boosted by a continued chip rally amid a boom in artificial intelligence (AI).
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened up 225.05 points, or 2.48 percent, at 9,288.89.
The market got a boost from overnight gains on Wall Street, led by major chipmakers, such as Intel, Nvidia and Micron Technology.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Intel had agreed to a deal with Apple to design and build chips in the United States.
Analyst Han Ji-young from Kiwoom Securities expected the local market to continue on a chip rally but noted that the rise could be limited due to profit taking.
“There seems to be a consensus among investors that increasing dependence on major leading stocks is the winning strategy, in the face of external uncertainties,” Han said.
Traders celebrate a new KOSPI milestone at a dealing room in Hana Bank in central Seoul on June 18, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
fairydust@yna.co.kr
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