South korean stocks: Surpassed the 5,500-point mark in midday trading for the first time on Thursday, boosted by sharp gains in blue-chip tech shares, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) had added 157.13 points, or 2.93 percent, to 5,511.62 as of 10:59 a.m. This marked the first time the KOSPI surpassed the 5,500-point mark.