Seoul: Seoul shares surged over 1.5 percent on Tuesday, closing above the historic 4,500 mark for the first time, driven by gains in semiconductors, brokerages, and shipbuilders. The Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 67.96 points, or 1.52 percent, to a new record high of 4,525.48, surpassing the 4,500-point milestone. The index had previously breached the 4,400-point threshold due to continuing strength in technology stocks.

Trading was robust, with a volume of 492.84 million shares valued at 25.27 trillion won (US$17.4 billion). The session saw more stocks declining than advancing, with 482 losers compared to 394 gainers.

Despite opening lower, contrary to Wall Street's overnight gains, the index recovered as retail investors purchased large-cap and technology stocks. Individuals acquired a net 597.55 billion won in shares, counterbalancing the net selling by foreign investors and institutions, which amounted to 618.83 billion won and 68.93 billion won, respectively.

Foreign investors turned net sellers after buying more than 2.8 trillion won in shares over the past two sessions. "Technology stocks were initially weak due to profit-taking in the morning session but rebounded on retail buying in the afternoon. Individual investors also bought defense and shipbuilding stocks anticipating strong earnings results in 2025," stated No Dong-kil, an analyst at Shinhan Securities Co.

Technology, defense, brokerage, and shipbuilding stocks led the upward movement. Samsung Electronics climbed 0.58 percent to 138,900 won, while SK hynix leaped 4.31 percent to 726,000 won. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries soared 7.21 percent to 550,000 won, and Korea Aerospace Industries jumped 9.41 percent to 136,100 won. Hanwha Aerospace rose 0.99 percent to 1,022,000 won, and Mirae Asset Securities surged 12.55 percent to 28,700 won.

In contrast, Kia slipped 0.08 percent to 122,500 won, and Korean Air fell 0.44 percent to 22,500 won. Hyundai Steel dropped 1.33 percent to 29,650 won, and LG Chem decreased 0.45 percent to 328,500 won.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,445.50 against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 1.7 won from the previous session. Bond prices ended mixed; the yield on three-year Treasurys rose 1.5 basis points to 2.948 percent, while the yield on five-year government bonds decreased 0.5 basis point to 3.244 percent.