In a dramatic display of market momentum, South Korea’s KOSPI index soared past the 6,000-point threshold for the first time in its history on February 25, 2026, capping a month of record-breaking rallies and signaling a new era for the country’s stock market. This historic milestone came just over a month after the index had first surpassed the 5,000-point mark, underscoring the extraordinary pace of gains and the shifting tides in global investor sentiment.
The breakthrough was swift and decisive. As trading opened on February 25, the KOSPI leaped to 6,022.70 points, immediately crossing the symbolic 6,000 barrier. According to YTN, “KOSPI broke the 6,000-point barrier for the first time in history shortly after the market opened, reaching about 6,022 points.” By 9:49 a.m., the index had climbed even higher to 6,036.51 points, up 66.87 points (1.12%) from the previous close, as reported by Seoul List. The achievement marked a breathtaking rise of over 1,000 points in just a month, with the previous 5,000-point milestone reached on January 22.
This remarkable ascent was not without its share of volatility. The previous trading day, February 24, saw the KOSPI close at a record 5,969.64, up 123.55 points (2.11%), leaving it just a hair’s breadth—30.36 points—from the next big round number. The index had started the day with a modest gain, dipped into negative territory, and then staged a dramatic comeback, powered by institutional investors who offset heavy selling by individuals and foreign investors. Institutions recorded net purchases of 2.3745 trillion KRW, a move that, according to Yonhap Infomax, “offset the net sales by foreigners and individuals.”
Driving the market’s surge was a potent combination of global and domestic forces. The rebound in major U.S. stock indices the previous night provided a crucial tailwind. On February 24 (U.S. Eastern Time), the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 370.44 points (0.76%) to 49,174.50, the S&P 500 rose 52.32 points (0.77%) to 6,890.07, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 236.41 points (1.04%) to 22,863.68. This rally was fueled in part by easing fears of artificial intelligence (AI) disruption after Anthropic, an AI company, announced partnerships with several tech firms. As YTN noted, “Concerns about AI disruption eased after Anthropic announced partnerships with software companies.”
Back home, it was the semiconductor giants that stole the spotlight. SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics both shattered psychological price barriers—SK Hynix closed at 1,000,500 KRW on February 24, surpassing the 1 million KRW mark for the first time, while Samsung Electronics finished at 200,000 KRW, entering what local investors dubbed the “20만 전자” era. The next day, both stocks continued to hold their ground, with Samsung Electronics trading at around 202,000 KRW and SK Hynix at about 1,020,000 KRW. The performance of these two “semiconductor titans” was crucial, with Yonhap Infomax reporting, “SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics achieved milestone prices, driven by focused institutional buying in the electric and electronics sectors.”
Other blue-chip stocks joined the rally. Hyundai Motor and Kia posted eye-popping intraday gains of around 10% and 14% respectively, while SK Square and Doosan Enerbility also showed strong performances. In the secondary KOSDAQ market, the index saw fluctuations—opening at about 1,174 points before slipping to around 1,160 points, reflecting a degree of caution and profit-taking among investors.
The market’s ascent was not without headwinds. The initial trading on February 24 was weighed down by global uncertainties, particularly after then-U.S. President Donald Trump responded to a Supreme Court ruling striking down his reciprocal tariff policy by announcing a surprise 15% global tariff hike. This move briefly dampened sentiment, but as Yonhap News explained, “Despite initial declines due to US President Trump’s global tariff hike, institutional investors purchased 2.3745 trillion KRW, leading to a market rebound.”
Currency markets also reflected the shifting mood. On February 24, the USD/KRW exchange rate closed at 1,442.5 KRW, up 2.5 KRW from the previous day. The following morning, the rate opened slightly lower at 1,441.6 KRW, suggesting some easing of risk aversion as the KOSPI charged ahead.
Investor behavior played a pivotal role in the rally. On February 25, foreigners and institutions were net sellers, offloading about 600 billion KRW and 300 billion KRW respectively, while individuals stepped in as aggressive buyers, purchasing nearly 1 trillion KRW. This pattern of individual investors propping up the market was a recurring theme, with BNT News highlighting, “Individuals were net buyers of 829.1 billion KRW on February 25, 2026.”
Market analysts were quick to weigh in on the significance of the milestone and the sustainability of the rally. Han Ji-young, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, observed, “Recently, the KOSPI has maintained its position as a global leader even amid headwinds from the U.S., and there is an atmosphere of anticipation for the index to level up beyond 6,000.” Yet, some cautioned about the risks of concentrated buying by financial investors and the potential for increased volatility. “As the concentration of buying by specific entities intensifies, volatility across the market has historically increased,” Han added, advising investors to maintain positions in leading stocks rather than chase daily gains.
Sector performance was mixed as the KOSPI broke new ground. Construction (+3.40%), transportation equipment and parts (+2.53%), and electrical and electronics (+0.55%) sectors led the way, while chemicals (-1.00%), pharmaceuticals (-0.85%), and medical precision instruments (-0.55%) lagged. On the KOSDAQ, individual investors continued to buy, but foreign and institutional investors were net sellers, echoing patterns seen in the main board.
Global cues remained favorable. The U.S. Consumer Confidence Index rose to 91.2 in February, up 2.2 points from January, signaling improved sentiment among American consumers. This, coupled with the rebound in U.S. tech stocks and the easing of AI-related anxieties, helped underpin the bullish mood in Seoul. As Yonhap News summarized, “The improvement in the U.S. consumer confidence index and the positive developments in AI partnerships contributed to the strong performance of the Korean stock market.”
For many market participants, the KOSPI’s leap past 6,000 was more than just a number—it was a symbol of South Korea’s growing clout in global finance and technology. The speed of the ascent, the resilience in the face of external shocks, and the pivotal role of both domestic and international forces all combined to make this a moment to remember. As the dust settles, investors and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this new era of the “6,000 KOSPI” can be sustained—or if the rollercoaster ride is just beginning.