Kospi opens lower amid AI rally pause, mixed U.S.-Iran signals

Seoul shares open strong on eased Middle East tensions - The Korea Times

Seoul's KOSPI surged 2.65% to 8,402 in early Friday trading after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a 60-day ceasefire extension and resumed nuclear talks, pushing Wall Street to record highs overnight. Samsung Electronics (+4.34%), SK hynix (+3.06%), and Hyundai Motor (+6.5%) led gains, signaling that geopolitical de-escalation remains a primary macro lever for semiconductor and industrial supply chain exposure in emerging Asia markets.