▲ This photo taken Aug. 6, 2026, shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul after the market close. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 7 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares opened higher Friday, led by gains in technology stocks despite renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened 68.69 points, or 1.09 percent, higher at 6,365.07.

The index plunged 4.58 percent in the previous session, dragged down mainly by losses in technology stocks.

Overnight, U.S. stocks declined. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.85 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.06 percent amid a lack of clarity over a possible agreement between the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran reportedly plans to deny U.S. and Israeli ships access to the strategic waterway and require compensation from countries it considers hostile before allowing them passage.

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