(2nd LD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom) SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks finished over 1 percent higher Monday on gains in chipmakers, snapping a two-day losing streak, despite heightened uncertainty over hostilities in the Middle East that continued to keep oil prices elevated. Trading volume was heavy at 1.07 billion shares worth 21.6 trillion won (US$14.4 billion), with losers far outpacing gainers 642 to 250. In Seoul, most large large-cap shares closed mixed, with chip shares leading the gains. Korea holds parliamentary elections prev (2nd LD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines Next (2nd LD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines

## Article Content
Facebook
X
More
Pinterest
Linked in
Tumblr
Reddit
Facebook Messenger
Copy URL
URL is copied.
OK
(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks finished over 1 percent higher Monday on gains in chipmakers, snapping a two-day losing streak, despite heightened uncertainty over hostilities in the Middle East that continued to keep oil prices elevated. The local currency lost ground against the greenback.
After choppy trading, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 62.61 points, or 1.14 percent, to close at 5,549.85.
Trading volume was heavy at 1.07 billion shares worth 21.6 trillion won (US$14.4 billion), with losers far outpacing gainers 642 to 250.
Foreign investors sold a net 848.1 billion won, while individuals and institutions bought a net 717.5 billion won and 89.7 billion won, respectively.
A dealing room at Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 16, 2026 (Yonhap)
"The KOSPI outperformed other Asian markets as semiconductor stocks advanced, driven by growing expectations ahead of the upcoming GTC event hosted by Nvidia and the earnings release from Micron Technology," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daeshin Securities.
Nvidia hosts its GTC conference at Silicon Valley this week, where it is expected to show off the latest advances in chips and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
Most Asian markets closed lower, as global crude prices continued to fluctuate as U.S. President Donald Trump increased pressure on nations to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In Seoul, most large large-cap shares closed mixed, with chip shares leading the gains.
Tech giant Samsung Electronics rose 2.83 percent to 188,700 won, while SK hynix added 7.03 percent to 974,000 won.
In contrast, auto shares closed in negative territory. Top automaker Hyundai Motor fell 2.13 percent to 506,000 won and its smaller affiliate Kia lost 1.4 percent to 162,000 won.
The Korean won was trading at 1,497.5 won per U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., down 3.8 won from the previous session.
The won initially fell past the 1,500-won level against the dollar early Monday but later trimmed its losses.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed mixed. The yield on three-year Treasurys shed 3.8 basis points to 3.3 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds was unchanged at 3.556 percent.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
Keywords
#stocks
#KOSPI
Articles with issue keywords
Most Liked
(News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats
16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life
BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones
(2nd LD) N. Korea fires ballistic missiles as S. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills
BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release
Most Saved
16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life
(2nd LD) N. Korea fires ballistic missiles as S. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills
(LEAD) N. Korea fires projectile as S. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills
S. Korea, U.S. hold joint river-crossing drills amid N. Korea's missile firing
(2nd LD) N. Korean leader's sister warns of 'terrible consequences' amid S. Korea-U.S. military drills
Most Viewed
All Categories
S. Korea weighs Trump's ship request with careful consideration
(LEAD) N. Korea says conducted firepower strike drill with 600 mm ultra-precision multiple rocket launchers
(LEAD) Trump says trip to China might be delayed, calls on Beijing to help unblock Hormuz Strait: report
(3rd LD) 'KPop Demon Hunters' wins Oscars for best animated feature, original song
Samsung SDI to supply 1.5 tln won worth of ESS batteries to U.S. energy firm
Most Viewed More
Most Viewed Photos
N. Korea holds parliamentary elections
Korean won weakens
Ahead of BTS concert
N. Korea holds parliamentary elections
prev
(2nd LD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines
Next
(2nd LD) Seoul shares close over 1 pct higher on chip gains; won declines

---

## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- The yield on three-year Treasurys shed 3.8 basis points to 3.3 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds was unchanged at 3.556 percent. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #KOSPI Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- The yield on three-year Treasurys shed 3.8 basis points to 3.3 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds was unchanged at 3.556 percent. khj@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #stocks #KOSPI Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills (LEAD) N.
- Korea weighs Trump's ship request with careful consideration (LEAD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers won, korea, percent topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 641.