The benchmark KOSPI is displayed at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Seoul shares extended gains late Wednesday morning, led by semiconductor and other market heavyweights, despite continued uncertainty in the Middle East.
After opening 3.3 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended its gains, rising 470.13 points, or 6.86 percent, to 7,326.96 as of 11:20 a.m.
The index closed 0.73 percent higher Tuesday after rebounding from an 8.95 percent plunge a session earlier, which was triggered by a massive sell-off in technology stocks.
Local stocks advanced after an unexpectedly sharp slowdown in U.S. inflation boosted Wall Street overnight and eased expectations of imminent interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
