SEOUL, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- South Korea's benchmark KOSPI surged 75.63% last year, becoming the best-performing index among major economies, according to the state-backed Korea Exchange on Friday.
Since its introduction in 1983, the KOSPI has risen more than that annually only twice -92.62% in 1987 amid a highly favorable external environment like low crude oil prices, and 82.78% in 1999 when the Internet bubble drove share prices sharply higher.
Japan also cruised well in 2025, but its year-on-year gain was just above 26%. Major indexes in the United States, China, and Taiwan also posted gains, but they fell short of 25%.
Observers expect the KOSPI to remain strong this year, thanks to the solid outlook of the country's key industries, including semiconductors and shipbuilding. The index climbed 2.27% on Friday to finish at a record high of 4,309.63.
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