▲ Financial data is displayed on a screen behind an employee working inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on April 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

stocks-morning

Seoul stocks sharply up late Mon. morning despite renewed woes over U.S.-Iran conflict

SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks were trading sharply higher late Monday morning, despite concerns over renewed tensions between the United States and Iran in the Middle East.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 81.79 points, or 1.32 percent, to 6,273.71 as of 11:20 a.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. has seized an Iranian-flagged commercial vessel in the Gulf, as part of its naval blockade. Iran called such acts as a violation of the ceasefire.

Investors are keeping a watch on a possible second round of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran amid reports that Iran's state media say that Tehran has no plans to participate.

In Seoul, most large-cap shares were trading higher.

The country's major chipmakers, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, gained 0.93 percent and 3.72 percent, respectively. SK hynix is set to release its first-quarter earnings this week.

Defense giant Hanwha Aerospace added 0.35 percent, major financial firm KB Financial inched up 0.12 percent, while top car maker Hyundai Motor fell 0.37 percent.

The local currency was quoted at 1,474.1 won against the U.S. dollar, up 9 won from the previous session.

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