The benchmark KOSPI rose 4.9 percent to reclaim the 5,300 mark, while the KOSDAQ gained 4.6 percent to move above 1,100. The U.S. dollar also fell back below the 1,510 won level after spiking above 1,530 won in the previous session.
Investment sentiment improved for the first time in many days after Trump said U.S. operations against Iran could be “wrapped up” within two to three weeks.
He also suggested that a formal agreement may not be necessary to end the conflict and that the United States could “leave Iran very soon,” remarks that markets interpreted as signaling potential de-escalation.
The comments come amid mixed signals on diplomacy. While Trump said negotiations are underway, Iran has denied direct talks, though it confirmed indirect exchanges through intermediaries.
The sharp rally followed strong gains on Wall Street overnight. The S&P 500 rose 2.91 percent to 6,528.51, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 3.83 percent to 21,590.63. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.49 percent to 46,341.33.
Gainers on the KOSPI overwhelmed losers 818 to 84, with bellwethers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix soaring nearly 7 percent.
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