On the morning of February 25, 2026, the South Korean stock market witnessed a moment that many investors will remember for years to come. The KOSPI index, South Korea’s main benchmark for equities, surged past the 6000-point threshold for the first time in its history, signaling a new era of bullish momentum and investor optimism. The achievement, which occurred just after the market opened, was not only a numerical milestone but also a testament to the rapid pace of growth that has defined the Korean stock market over the past year.
At precisely 10:16 AM, the KOSPI was trading at 6035.15 points, according to Chungcheong News. This historic moment came only a little over a month after the index first crossed the 5000-point mark on January 22, 2026. The pace of this ascent is striking: it took just 34 days for the KOSPI to leap from 5000 to 6000 points, the shortest interval ever recorded between such 1000-point milestones in the index’s nearly four-decade history.
The day’s trading began with a bang. According to JoongAng Ilbo, the KOSPI opened at 6022.70 points, up 53.06 points (0.89%) from the previous day’s close of 5969.64. The market’s exuberance was palpable, with traders and employees at Seoul’s Hana Bank headquarters celebrating the milestone. The KOSDAQ, Korea’s tech-heavy secondary index, also joined in the rally, starting the day at 1174.27 points, up 9.27 points (0.80%).
What’s behind this remarkable surge? The answer, in large part, lies with South Korea’s semiconductor giants. As reported by Kyunghyang Shinmun, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have been the driving forces behind the KOSPI’s rally. On February 24, Samsung Electronics reached a record price of 200,000 KRW, and SK Hynix hit an unprecedented 1,000,000 KRW. Those gains are not just impressive—they’re historic. So far in 2026, Samsung Electronics has soared 66.81%, while SK Hynix has climbed 54.38%, both outpacing the broader KOSPI’s year-to-date rise of 41.66%.
Together, Samsung Electronics (including its preferred shares) and SK Hynix now account for roughly 40% of the KOSPI’s total market capitalization, which stands at about 2000 trillion KRW. Their outsized influence means that when these companies rally, they often pull the entire market up with them. As Kyunghyang Shinmun put it, “Semiconductor stocks Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix hit record highs on February 24, 2026, at 200,000 KRW and 1,000,000 KRW respectively, with year-to-date gains of 66.81% and 54.38%.”
But semiconductors weren’t the only stars on this historic day. The automotive sector also saw eye-catching gains. ZDNet Korea highlighted that Hyundai Motor’s stock jumped 9.92% to 576,000 KRW, while Kia soared 13.74% to 197,900 KRW. These moves reflected renewed investor confidence in Korea’s globally competitive carmakers, who have benefited from robust export demand and strategic shifts towards electric vehicles.
Other major stocks joined the rally as well. According to JoongAng Ilbo, LG Energy Solution rose by 0.24%, SK Square added 1.78%, and the overall market mood was buoyed by widespread optimism. The financial, insurance, securities, and holding company sectors also posted strong performances. This was partly attributable to the third amendment of Korea’s Commercial Act, which focuses on the cancellation of treasury shares—a move that has been welcomed by investors as a sign of improved corporate governance and shareholder value.
It’s worth noting that the rally’s character shifted slightly compared to previous sessions. While institutional investors led the buying spree the day before, February 25 saw individual investors step up as the main drivers of net purchases, as reported by ZDNet Korea. This changing dynamic hints at a broadening base of market participation, with retail investors eager not to miss out on the historic run.
The speed of KOSPI’s ascent has left many market watchers astonished. For context, it took the index 250 days to double from 3000 points (crossed on June 20, 2025) to 6000 points. Previous milestones were reached at a more leisurely pace: 1000 points in March 1989, 2000 points in July 2007, 3000 in January 2021, 4000 in October 2025, and 5000 in January 2026. The leap from 4000 to 5000 points took about three months, but the latest 1000-point climb happened in just over a month—a record for the KOSPI.
What explains this unprecedented acceleration? Several factors stand out. The global semiconductor boom has fueled demand for Korean chips, boosting export earnings and investor sentiment. Domestic reforms, such as the Commercial Act amendment, have strengthened corporate transparency and governance. Key sectors, including automobiles and consumer goods, have posted strong earnings, further stoking optimism. And with both institutional and individual investors eager to ride the momentum, the rally has fed on itself, creating a virtuous cycle of rising prices and growing enthusiasm.
Yet, as with any historic run, there are voices urging caution. While the mood on the trading floor was undeniably jubilant, some analysts warn that such rapid gains can make markets vulnerable to corrections. Valuations, especially in the tech and semiconductor sectors, are now at multi-year highs. For many investors, the question is whether the fundamentals will continue to justify these lofty prices, or if the market is setting itself up for a bout of volatility down the line.
Still, for now, the mood in Seoul is celebratory. The KOSPI’s crossing of the 6000-point mark is more than just a number—it’s a symbol of South Korea’s economic resilience, technological prowess, and growing influence in global finance. As the country’s leading companies continue to innovate and expand their reach, many see this milestone as just another step in a longer journey.
In the end, the story of February 25, 2026, is one of ambition, achievement, and a market that refuses to be held back by old limits. Whether this rally will continue—or if a correction is around the corner—remains to be seen. But for now, South Korea’s investors have every reason to celebrate a day when the impossible became reality, and the KOSPI opened the door to a new chapter in its remarkable history.