As the KOSPI continues a day-after-day rally to record highs, its market capitalisation topped 4,000 trillion won for the first time during trading on Jan. 16.

As of 11:20 a.m., the KOSPI's market capitalisation was 4,009.9 trillion won.

The Korea Exchange said it was the first time the KOSPI's market capitalisation exceeded 4,000 trillion won during trading. It came about three months after the KOSPI first closed above 3,000 trillion won on Oct. 15 last year.

Strength in semiconductor shares, driven by an overnight boost to U.S. technology stocks, is pushing up the KOSPI and swelling its market capitalisation.

Large-cap stocks on the KOSPI had a market capitalisation of 3,429.9 trillion won, accounting for 85.6 percent of the total. Market capitalisation of the KOSPI 100 and KOSPI 50 was tallied at 3,409.1 trillion won and 3,013.5 trillion won, respectively.

The KOSPI was up 49.34 points, or 1.03 percent, from the previous session at 4,846.89, extending a record-high streak to 11 straight sessions.

Samsung Electronics rose 3.82 percent and moved closer to 150,000 won during trading, setting a record high. SK Hynix was also up 0.93 percent.