Seoul stocks open sharply higher ahead of U.S.-Iran ceasefire deadline

▲ Traders work inside the dealing room in Hana Bank in central Seoul on April 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

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Seoul stocks open sharply higher ahead of U.S.-Iran ceasefire deadline

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened sharply higher on Tuesday ahead of the deadline for a two-week ceasefire in the U.S.-Iran war.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened 1.34 percent, or 83.45 points, higher at 6,302.54.

Investors are keeping an eye on the Middle East situation, with the deadline for the ceasefire nearing.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire will end on "Wednesday evening Washington time," adding that it would be "highly unlikely" he would extend it if a deal is not reached before then.

Iran's foreign ministry, however, said there were no plans for talks "as of now."

Overnight, major stock indexes on Wall Street closed lower, with the S&P500 inching down 0.24 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq falling 0.26 percent.

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