On October 10, 2025, following a week-long holiday, South Korea's stock market sprang back to life. The benchmark Kospi Index surged by up to 1.8%, achieving a record-breaking high. This impressive rise marked a year-to-date increase of over 50%.

Chip-related stocks were the driving force behind this remarkable upswing. SK Hynix witnessed a significant surge in its share price, with a jump of as much as 11%. Meanwhile, Samsung's stock was also on a trajectory toward reaching a historic closing high.

Market analysts attribute this surge mainly to a renewed emphasis on the global supply chain for AI chips. This renewed attention has heightened investors' expectations for enhanced corporate earnings. During this period, global funds engaged in net purchases of Kospi stocks. In contrast, local funds and retail investors chose to sell their holdings. Additionally, the small-cap Kosdaq Index experienced a decline of up to 0.5%.