Seoul shares hit a new record shortly after opening on Friday, the first trading day of 2026.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index(KOSPI) rose to an all‑time intraday high of four‑thousand‑229‑point‑57 as of 10:02 a.m., up 15‑point‑four points, or zero‑point‑37 percent, from the previous session.

The main bourse surpassed its previous intraday record of four‑thousand‑226‑point‑75, set on November 4, 2025, breaking the mark at the very start of the new year’s trading.

The KOSPI opened at four‑thousand‑224‑point‑53, up ten‑point‑36 points, or zero‑point‑25 percent.

As of 10:41 a.m., the KOSPI stands at four‑thousand‑242‑point‑06.

The stock market opened one hour later than usual at 10 a.m. due to the opening ceremony for the 2026 securities and derivatives markets, while the closing time remained unchanged.