South Korean shares rose for the first time in four sessions to gain 1 percent on Friday, helped by a rebound in US stocks, as investors chased beaten-down companies such as top lender Kookmin Bank.
Worries that rising global interest rates could hamper economic growth battered Seoul shares this week, leading to a 5.6 percent dip in the main index and wiping out 35.7 trillion won ($37 billion) in market value.
Seoul stocks have plunged nearly 16 percent from an all-time high of 1,464.70 on May 11, losing nearly $118 billion in market value, as foreign investors sold heavily in emerging markets.
Foreign investors sold a net 543.2 billion won worth of Seoul shares on Friday, taking their total net selling over the past three sessions to 912.8 billion won.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 1.02 percent to close at 1,235.65, a day after hitting a seven-month low and suffering its biggest one-day percentage decline in two years.
Kookmin Bank rose 1.72 percent to 71,000 won. Hyundai Motor Co, climbed 1.87 percent to 76,400 won. Korean Air Co, jumping 6.91 percent to 32,500 won.
POSCO Co Ltd, fell for a fourth consecutive session, declining 1.77 percent to 222,000 won.
Gainers outnumbered decliners by 592 to 187 with 38 titles ending flat. Trade volume reached 225.8 million shares worth 3.25 trillion won compared with Thursday's 272.3 million shares worth 4.1 trillion won.
Domestic institutions and retail investors bought a net 183.3 billion won and 280.4 billion won worth of shares, respectively.
The September KOSPI 200 futures index ended 1.87 percent higher at 160.45 and the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index rose 0.95 percent to 159.61. South Korea's junior and tech heavy Kosdaq market jumped 3.45 percent to close at 578.71.
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