Seoul: South Korean stocks surpassed the landmark 5,500-point mark for the first time in history Thursday, boosted by sharp gains in blue-chip tech shares. The local currency gained ground against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 167.78 points, or 3.13 percent, to close at an all-time high of 5,522.27.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the KOSPI's milestone came amid mixed performances in global stock markets, influenced by uncertainties related to the planned replacement of the Federal Reserve chief and the release of the U.S. jobs report. Trade volume was heavy at 739.2 million shares worth 31.8 trillion won (US$22 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 616 to 272.

Foreign investors and institutions purchased a net 3 trillion won and 1.37 trillion won, respectively, whereas retail investors sold a combined 4.45 trillion won for profit-taking. Analyst Lee Kyoung-min from Daishin Securities noted that despite global uncertainties, the KOSPI moved upwards based on market fundamentals, with significant contributions from big-cap shares.

In the U.S., major indexes closed slightly lower due to mixed reactions to a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report, which sparked both optimism for the U.S. economy and concerns about unchanged interest rates by the Federal Reserve. Semiconductor and financial shares led the KOSPI rally, with secondary battery and food and beverage sectors also performing strongly.

Semiconductor giant Samsung Electronics rose 6.44 percent to 178,600 won, while SK hynix increased by 3.26 percent to 888,000 won. Hanmi Semiconductor experienced a significant rise of 9.97 percent to 209,500 won. In the battery sector, LG Energy Solution surged 4.59 percent to 410,000 won, and SK Square climbed 7.14 percent to 570,000 won.

Financial institutions saw gains, with KB Financial and Shinhan Financial climbing 2.43 percent to 168,500 won and 5.05 percent to 106,000 won, respectively. Automakers had varied results; Hyundai Motor declined 0.59 percent to 506,000 won, while Kia rose 2.78 percent to 166,300 won. LG Electronics saw a decrease of 5.08 percent to 121,400 won after a previous day's rally.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,440.2 won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., marking an increase of 9.9 won from the previous session.