The KOSPI and Samsung Electronics shares are displayed on a screen at the dealing room of Woori Bank headquarters in Seoul, Monday.
The KOSPI broke above the 8,800 mark for the first time in intraday trading, driven by a sharp rally in Samsung Electronics shares.
Yonhap KOSPI soared above the 8,800 milestone in intraday trading for the first time in history on Monday, as Samsung Electronics spearheaded the rally with a more than 10 percent jump in its share price.
The benchmark index opened 9.52 points, or 0.11 percent, higher at 8,485.67, immediately surpassing its previous record closing high of 8,476.15 set Friday.
Buying momentum gathered pace throughout the session, carrying KOSPI past the 8,500 level before extending gains through the 8,600 and 8,700 marks and eventually breaching 8,800 intraday.
