[DigitalToday reporter Oh Sang-yeop (오상엽)] The KOSPI closed this week slightly higher on Thursday amid worries about a widening war in the Middle East, finishing in the 5,580 range.

The KOSPI ended up 0.97 point, or 0.02 percent, at 5,584.87 from the previous session. The index opened lower at 5,491.02 and climbed as high as 5,627.75, but losses widened just before the close and it finished around 5,584.

A day earlier, it surged 490.36 points, or 9.63 percent, posting its biggest point gain on record and its biggest percentage rise since the 2008 financial crisis.

Retail investors were net buyers of 2.9499 trillion won, supporting the index. Foreign and institutional investors were net sellers of 1.9431 trillion won and 1.1137 trillion won, respectively, adding downward pressure.

Top stocks by market capitalisation were mixed. Samsung Electronics closed at 188,700 won, down 2,900 won, or 1.51 percent, from the previous session, and SK Hynix fell 1.70 percent, among other declines.

Hyundai Motor rose 1.09 percent, LG Energy Solution gained 1.62 percent, Hanwha Aerospace added 2.90 percent, SK Square rose 0.08 percent, Samsung Biologics gained 0.36 percent, Kia added 0.48 percent and Doosan Enerbility rose 3.20 percent.

The Kosdaq ended up 38.26 points, or 3.43 percent, at 1,154.67.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won-dollar exchange rate was trading at 1,475.00 won, down 4.00 won, or 0.27 percent, from the previous session.