(LEAD) KOSPI opens higher amid oil price hike | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS more info throughout; CHANGES photo) SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher Monday on strong gains in tech shares despite a jump in global crude prices sparked by U.S. air strikes on Iran's main export hub. Officials work in a dealing room at Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines (LEAD) Seoul shares open sharply lower as new Iran leader vows to keep Hormuz blockade (2nd LD) Seoul shares close lower on extended Middle East tension; won sharply down 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 BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N. Koreans, foreigners from Saudi Arabia amid Mideast conflict Shops, hotels in central Seoul preparing safety measures ahead of BTS show Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Korean won weakens Ahead of BTS concert N. Korea holds parliamentary elections First lady attends memorial service for ex-PM Lee Hae-chan prev (LEAD) KOSPI opens higher amid oil price hike Next (LEAD) KOSPI opens higher amid oil price hike

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(ATTN: ADDS more info throughout; CHANGES photo)
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher Monday on strong gains in tech shares despite a jump in global crude prices sparked by U.S. air strikes on Iran's main export hub.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 58.31 points, or 1.06 percent, to 5,545.55 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
The KOSPI's rise came despite a drop in major U.S. stock indexes last week amid escalating turmoil in the Middle East.
On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.26 percent, while tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.98 percent, and the S&P 500 lost 0.61 percent.
Brent crude oil prices, the international oil benchmark, surpassed $103 per barrel last week, while the U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) reached $98.71 after the United States bombed military targets on Kharg Island, a key terminal that handles almost all of Iran's oil exports.
In Seoul, tech behemoth Samsung Electronics started 2.18 percent higher, with its chipmaking rival SK hynix jumping 3.19 percent.
Defense Giant Hanwha Aerospace gained 1.28 percent, and power plant manufacturer Doosan Enerbility went up 1.88 percent.
Artificial intelligence investment firm SK Square increased 2.06 percent, and Mirae Asset Securities soared 4.05 percent.
On the other hand, Hyundai Motor kicked off 0.77 percent lower, and major shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries lost 1.34 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,494.3 won against the U.S. dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 0.6 won from the previous session. The local currency had kicked off above the 1,500 won level at the opening bell, marking the first time it had pierced the threshold since March 2009.
Officials work in a dealing room at Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Yonhap)
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) KOSPI opens higher amid oil price hike

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- OK (ATTN: ADDS more info throughout; CHANGES photo) SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher Monday on strong gains in tech shares despite a jump in global crude prices sparked by U.S. air strikes on Iran's main export hub.

### Areas for Consideration
- Officials work in a dealing room at Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines (LEAD) Seoul shares open sharply lower as new Iran leader vows to keep Hormuz blockade (2nd LD) Seoul shares close lower on extended Middle East tension; won sharply down 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 BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- Officials work in a dealing room at Hana Bank in central Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Yonhap) nyway@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (2nd LD) Seoul shares down for 2nd day on prolonged Hormuz shutdown; won declines (LEAD) Seoul shares open sharply lower as new Iran leader vows to keep Hormuz blockade (2nd LD) Seoul shares close lower on extended Middle East tension; won sharply down 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 BTS to launch 'Arirang' pop-ups to mark new album release Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills (LEAD) N.
- Korea's missile firing (LEAD) Gov't to take steps to implement fuel price cap this week as Mideast crisis intensifies Most Viewed All Categories S.
- Korea weighs Trump's ship request with careful consideration (LEAD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers percent, korea, seoul topics. Notable strengths include discussion of percent. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 606.