Seoul: South Korean stocks ended sharply higher for the fourth straight session on Thursday as investors scooped up major chipmakers. The Korean won gained ground against the U.S. dollar.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 234.3 points, or 3.56 percent, to close at 6,813.34, following 0.65 percent, 0.73 percent and 3.68 percent gains in the previous three sessions. After opening 2.96 percent higher, the KOSPI further added gains as foreigners and institutions scooped up major chip heavyweights for four consecutive sessions.

Overnight, U.S. stocks tied to the artificial intelligence technology sector rose. The SandP 500 gained 0.26 percent, closing just shy of a record high, while the Nasdaq composite advanced 0.54 percent. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.04 percent.

In Seoul, large-cap stocks finished higher. Semiconductor heavyweight Samsung Electronics shot up 4.89 percent to 268,000 won per share and its rival SK hynix gained 5.91 percent to 1.59 million won, both extending the winning streak for three straight sessions.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,419.4 won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., up 3.7 won from the close of stock trading the day before.