South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index surged to a fresh record high on Monday, extending its winning streak for a third straight session as Asian markets showed resilience despite renewed global tariff tensions.
The Kospi jumped 1.7%, driven by strong gains in heavyweight technology stocks. Semiconductor leaders Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix posted significant advances, supported by sustained global demand for memory chips and continued optimism around artificial intelligence and data center growth.
Investor sentiment remained positive across the Asia-Pacific region even after US President Donald Trump announced plans to raise global tariffs to 15% from 10%. Market participants appeared confident that strong corporate earnings, improving economic indicators, and robust demand in key sectors would help cushion the impact of rising trade barriers.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed more than 2%, reflecting strong buying interest in financial and technology shares. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also moved higher, supported by gains in mining and energy stocks. Meanwhile, China and Japan markets remained closed due to national holidays, limiting overall regional trading volume.
India’s benchmark Nifty 50 index recorded modest gains, highlighting the relative stability of emerging markets despite ongoing geopolitical and trade-related uncertainties. Analysts noted that investors are increasingly focusing on long-term growth opportunities in Asia, particularly in technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
Global markets showed mixed reactions to tariff developments. While Asian equities advanced, cryptocurrencies faced renewed selling pressure. Bitcoin dropped more than 3%, reflecting investor caution amid global economic uncertainty and tightening financial conditions.
Oil prices also declined, with Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate futures slipping as traders evaluated the potential impact of tariffs on global trade flows and energy demand.
Market experts said the strong performance of Asian equities, particularly South Korea’s Kospi, demonstrates investor confidence in the region’s economic fundamentals. The continued growth of semiconductor exports, technological innovation, and stable domestic demand have strengthened South Korea’s position as a key driver of global technology supply chains.
Looking ahead, investors will closely monitor further developments in US trade policy, global inflation trends, and central bank decisions. Despite short-term volatility, analysts believe Asia’s strong economic outlook and technological leadership will continue to attract global investment and support long-term market growth.
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