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The closing price of the KOSPI index is displayed on a screen at Hana Bank’s dealing room in Jung District, Seoul, on June 20, as the index closed above the 3,000 mark for the first time in three and a half years. / Source: Yonhap News

South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index surged past the symbolic 3,000-point threshold on June 20, closing at its highest level since December 28, 2021, when it last ended above that mark. The rally marks a significant milestone for the Korean stock market, signaling renewed investor optimism and a potential return to the so-called “3,000 era.”

According to the Korea Exchange, the KOSPI ended the day at 3,021.84, up 44.10 points or 1.48% from the previous session. The index fluctuated between an intraday low of 2,972.37 and a high of 3,022.06 before closing firmly above 3,000.

Among the top 10 companies by market capitalization, nine saw gains. Samsung Electronics rose 0.51%, SK Hynix climbed 4.47%, Samsung Biologics gained 1.70%, and LG Energy Solution jumped 4.81%. Other gainers included Hanwha Aerospace (0.43%), Hyundai Motor (1.45%), NAVER (6.94%), Kia (2.90%), and Samsung Electronics preferred shares (0.41%). The only decliner among the top 10 was KB Financial Group, which dipped 0.19%.

The tech-heavy KOSDAQ index also advanced, rising 9.02 points or 1.15% to close at 791.53. It recorded an intraday low of 780.65 and ended at its high of the day.

Among KOSDAQ’s top 10 stocks by market cap, most saw gains. Alteogen rose 0.78%, EcoPro BM surged 12.21%, HLB added 0.56%, EcoPro climbed 7.14%, Rainbow Robotics gained 6.23%, Pharmaresearch rose 1.11%, and Samchundang Pharm added 4.59%. On the downside, Peptione fell 0.10%, Hugel dropped 0.94%, and Classys declined 1.62%.

Meanwhile, in the Seoul foreign exchange market, the Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar. As of 3:30 p.m., the won was trading at 1,365.60 per dollar, down 12.20 won or 0.89% from the previous day.