The KOSPI ended trading in the 4,800 range for the first time on Thursday. It is now just 3.29 percent away from the 5,000 era.

The KOSPI closed up 43.19 points, or 0.90 percent, at 4,840.74. It opened at 4,820.66, up 23.11 points, or 0.48 percent, from the previous session, and rose as high as 4,855.61, setting record highs both intraday and at the close.

Buying by institutional and foreign investors led the market higher. Foreigners and institutions net bought 404.6 billion won and 338.7 billion won, respectively, while individual investors net sold 938.0 billion won, extending their selling to a fifth straight session. They were tallied as having sold more than 4 trillion won over the same period.

Samsung Electronics closed up 3.47 percent at 148,900 won, setting a 52-week high. It climbed as high as 149,500 won during the session, leading the recovery in tech shares. SK Hynix also ended up 0.93 percent at 754,000 won.

Most of the top 10 stocks by market capitalisation posted gains. Doosan Enerbility rose 6.48 percent and SK Square gained 3.96 percent, while Hyundai Motor fell 2.13 percent and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries slid 1.43 percent.