The KOSPI closed at a new all-time high of 6,936.99 points on Monday [1].
This surge reflects a significant shift in investor sentiment toward equities and the growing dominance of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The record indicates strong confidence in South Korea's semiconductor sector as global tech firms increase their reliance on specialized memory hardware.
The index rose 5.12% during the session [1]. This growth was bolstered by a broader trend of investors moving capital away from cryptocurrency and into traditional stock markets [3].
SK Hynix, a leading semiconductor company, saw its market capitalization exceed 1,000 trillion KRW for the first time [2]. The company's valuation jump is tied to strong earnings expectations and the increasing demand for AI-related memory chips [2], [4].
Market analysts said that big tech companies are doubling down on AI memory, which has pushed SK Hynix to new heights [4]. The company's ability to supply the critical components needed for large language models has made it a primary target for institutional investors.
While the market experienced a previous high of 6,615.03 points on April 27, 2026, the current close represents a substantial leap toward the 7,000-point milestone [1].
“The KOSPI closed at a new all-time high of 6,936.99 points.”
The simultaneous record-breaking performance of the KOSPI and SK Hynix underscores the concentration of South Korea's economic growth within the AI supply chain. By crossing the 1,000 trillion KRW threshold, SK Hynix has solidified its position as a systemic pillar of the national economy, meaning the broader health of the South Korean stock market is now more closely tied to the global trajectory of AI hardware adoption than ever before.
