SEOUL: Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
South Korean shares climbed on Monday to their highest level in more than two weeks, after parliament impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over the short-lived martial law.
The won strengthened and the benchmark bond yield rose.
The KOSPI added 5.60 points, or 0.22%, to 2,500.06 as of 0111 GMT, extending gains to the fifth straight session.
Earlier in the day, the benchmark rose as much as 0.85% to the highest since Nov. 27.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court will begin reviewing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday over his Dec. 3 attempt to impose martial law, after a parliamentary vote on Saturday in favour of the impeachment.
“Political risk is lowered and is now a manageable uncertainty,” said Han Ji-young, a market analyst at Kiwoom Securities.
South Korea’s finance ministry said authorities would continue to monitor financial and foreign exchange markets.
Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics rose 0.36% and peer SK Hynix gained 2.51%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution slid 0.25%.
Hyundai shed 1.16% and sister automaker Kia lost 1.63%. Search engine Naver gained 2.38%, while instant messenger Kakao slipped 2.72%.
Of the total 938 traded issues, 550 shares advanced and 328 declined.
Foreigners net sold shares worth 196.5 billion won ($137 million).
The won was quoted at 1,433.5 per US dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.12% higher than its previous close at 1,435.2.
In money and debt markets, December futures on three-year treasury bonds fell 0.04 point to 106.74.
The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield rose 2.0 basis points to 2.561%, while the benchmark 10-year yield added 4.6 basis points to 2.722%.