Woofun AI reports that the KOSPI index climbed past the 7,000-point threshold on the 23rd, defying overnight U.S. market declines and rising oil prices linked to U.S.-Iran tensions. Semiconductor, robotics, and AI-related equities led the advance, supported by expectations that global tech giants will expand AI infrastructure spending, thereby benefiting Korean chip manufacturers. Market participants also engaged in bargain hunting following previous corrections.

Foreign investors emerged as the primary buying force, recording net purchases of 213.4 billion Korean Won, while individual and institutional investors sold 65.3 billion and 146.8 billion Korean Won, respectively. The KOSDAQ index also opened higher by 1.65%, with foreign capital adding 5.8 billion Korean Won against net sales from domestic retail and institutional players.