Seoul: South Korean shares opened higher Wednesday, led by gains in major technology stocks, despite overnight losses on Wall Street as optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran peace deal faded. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened 92.97 points, or 1.47 percent, higher at 6,438.50.

According to Yonhap News Agency, investors became more pessimistic about the prospects for a deal that could bring stability to the Middle East. This shift in sentiment followed comments by the newly appointed secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, who stated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless Washington changes its behavior and accepts Tehran's conditions for ending the war.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.34 percent, while the S and P 500 declined 0.32 percent to 7,728.2. The Nasdaq composite shed 0.60 percent, reflecting the uncertain outlook on the potential peace deal and its implications for global markets.