The KOSPI index is displayed at the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Korean stocks traded higher over the 8,000-point level as investors were buoyed by progress on a Washington-Tehran peace deal despite new U.S. strikes on Iran.
After starting 2.84 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended gains to add 242.87 points, or 3.09 percent, to 8,090.58 as of 11:20 a.m.
U.S. President Donald Trump said talks with Iran to extend the ceasefire and unlock the Strait of Hormuz are proceeding "nicely" and also warned of attacks "bigger and stronger than ever before."
Later, U.S. forces conducted strikes in southern Iran in what they described as defensive actions.
