Chip stocks rallied on AI optimism, pushing South Korea's KOSPI up 1.54% on
Thursday to breach 9,000 for the first time and mark a record high. Heavyweight
Samsung Electronics rose more than 2%; SK Hynix jumped over 5%. Amid the AI-led
global rally, Korea is among the top-performing markets — the KOSPI is up 114%
YTD after a 76% gain last year.