KOSPI surges 4.3% to record 7,822; SK Hynix (000660.KS) +11%, Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) +6%

South Korea's KOSPI closed at 7,822.24 on May 11, up 324.24 points (+4.32%), setting a fresh all-time high. The index touched an intraday peak of 7,899.32 (+5.35%), leaving just 177.76 points (2.24%) before the 8,000 level. Total market cap exceeded KRW 7 trillion for the first time, just eight trading days after crossing KRW 6 trillion on April 30.

Semiconductors Lead the Rally

SK Hynix (000660.KS) gained more than 11%, clearing the 190,000 KRW mark. Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) rose more than 6%, crossing 280,000 KRW. Samsung C&T gained over 6%, while SK Square — which holds a stake in SK Hynix — climbed more than 8%.

The catalyst was the previous session's U.S. tech breakout. On May 8, the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged 5.51% and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit all-time highs. Korean semiconductor names, seen as direct AI-cycle beneficiaries, repriced accordingly.

Net Flows: Domestic Buyers Absorb Foreign Selling

Individual investors net-bought KRW 2.87 trillion; institutions added KRW 624 billion. Foreign investors net-sold KRW 3.49 trillion in profit-taking — yet did not halt the rally. The KOSDAQ ended flat at 1,207.34 (−0.03%), confirming the move was concentrated in large-cap names. The KRW/USD rate was little changed at 1,472.4 KRW.

Path to 8,000

The KOSPI sits 177.76 points (2.24%) from 8,000. The pace of advance — KRW 6 trillion to KRW 7 trillion market cap in eight sessions — suggests sustained momentum. Near-term risks center on the durability of U.S. chip demand and the trajectory of foreign capital after today's KRW 3.49 trillion outflow.

Not investment advice. Verify all figures with primary sources before acting.