▲ Traders are seen working inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on Sept. 4, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks rose for a second consecutive session Friday to finish nearly 2 percent higher, as the country's strong export figures and easing concerns over U.S. interest rate hikes fueled risk appetite. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 107.73 points, or 1.64 percent, to 6,687.21, following a 0.26 percent gain the previous day.

The index was lifted by foreign and institutional investors, who scooped up local heavyweights.

"Rate hike concerns eased following comments from Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller, while risks stemming from the Middle East and the yen carry trade persists," Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst from Daishin Securities, said.

On Thursday (U.S. time) Gov. Waller signaled he could lean towards keeping rates steady at the September Fed meeting, saying recent trends "suggest we are finally seeing some signs of disinflation."

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