Seoul shares closed nearly 2 percent higher on Thursday as foreign and institutional investors snapped up hard-hit technology issues after a dip in oil prices eased concerns about a fragile economic recovery.
The market shrugged off data showing South Korea's consumer sentiment worsened for a third consecutive month in July to its lowest in nearly four years, dealers said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) ended up 1.91 percent at 743.35 points, the highest close since July 28 when the index settled at 744.42.
Foreign investors bought a net 120.5 billion won ($103.4 million) worth of shares on the main board and domestic institutions bought a net 33.7 billion won worth. Retail investors sold 176.6 billion won worth. Shares in Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, climbed 2.42 percent to end at 423,000 won.
Top mobile carrier SK Telecom Co recovered from earlier losses to turn 1.82 percent higher to 168,000 won. POSCO Co, the world's fifth-largest steel maker, also advanced 1.27 percent to end at 160,000 won.
Shares in top local auto maker Hyundai Motor Co jumped 4.24 percent to end at 46,700 won.
Winners outpaced losers by 547 to 184 with 69 shares ending flat. Volume stood at 393 million shares valued at 1.77 trillion won. The junior Kosdaq market rose 2.8 percent to 333.81.
The September KOSPI 200 futures index climbed 2.35 points to 95.60 and the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index rose 1.72 points to 96.31.
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