Seoul shares rose for a record 12th consecutive session on Friday as Korea Electric Power Corp and airlines gained on hopes a firm won will help offset high oil prices, while a solid earnings outlook lifted financials such as Kookmin Bank.
Sustained buying by foreign investors also boosted stocks, sending the main index near a three-month closing high, but worries over higher US interest rates and the won's recent surge hit exporters such as Samsung Electronics.
New Bank of Korea Governor Lee Seong-tae said on Friday the central bank would maintain its previous stance of gradual tightening, after holding rates steady at 4 percent.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index reversed early losses to close 0.38 percent higher at 1,402.36, its highest finish since ending at 1,421.79 on January 16, 2006.
Foreigners bought a net 51.7 worth of shares on Seoul's main board, taking their total net purchases over the past six sessions to 1.35 trillion won.
KEPCO rose 2.84 percent to 43,500 won, while top carrier Korean Air Co gained 2.9 percent to 35,500 won.
South Korea's biggest lender Kookmin Bank rose 2.01 percent to 86,200 won as investors bet on strong first-quarter earnings, while second-ranked Shinhan Financial Group rose 2.06 percent to 47,100 won.
Samsung Electronics slipped 0.46 percent to 654,000 won, and LG Electronics Inc fell 1.72 percent to 79,900 won.
Trade volume was 332 million shares worth 3.5 trillion won, compared to 425 million shares worth 4.01 trillion won on Thursday. Gainers edged out decliners by 425 to 325 with 74 titles ending flat.
Retail investors sold a net 74.7 billion won, while institutional investors bought a net 46.7 billion won.
The June KOSPI 200 futures index rose 1.10 points to 183.00, while the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index added 0.87 point to 181.97.
South Korea's junior and tech heavy Kosdaq market rose 0.08 percent to finish at 694.35, marking its eighth consecutive session of gains and its highest close since ending at 705.57 on January 19.
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