South Korea\'s KOSPI jumped more than 4 percent in early trade on Thursday, breaking above 6,800 on combined buying by foreign and institutional investors. The move came as rate concerns eased after a U.S. inflation release, with semiconductor heavyweights such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix rising sharply. The KOSDAQ fell, while the won strengthened against the dollar. Analysts cited profit-taking in small caps and improved foreign flows.

Chinese power semiconductor companies that expanded market share with low-priced supply have begun raising prices, a shift expected to accelerate South Korean companies\' move to 8-inch (200 mm) silicon carbide wafers. Global leaders are also lifting prices as AI data centre demand spreads supply shortages to MLCCs and power semiconductors. Domestic firms are lining up GaN and SiC production plans. The industry faces complex SiC processes and yield challenges, while the government is upgrading public fab infrastructure in the south and planning integrated R&D.