Domestic stocks, which plunged nearly 6 percent a day earlier, are rebounding strongly in early trading on March 10 on expectations of easing Iran-related risks and inflows of bargain buying.

The KOSPI was up 255.60 points, or 4.87 percent, at 5,507.47 as of 9:15 a.m. It opened higher at 5,523.21 and quickly regained the 5,500 level.

At 9:06:02 a.m., a buy-sidecar was triggered by a sharp rise in KOSPI 200 futures, suspending the effectiveness of program buy orders for 5 minutes.

In terms of flows, foreign investors are leading the rise, with net buying of 125.7 billion won on the KOSPI. Retail investors are net sellers of 106.9 billion won, and institutions are net sellers of 9.5 billion won, appearing to take profits.

Most heavyweight stocks are higher. Samsung Electronics rose 13,100 won, or 7.55 percent, to 186,600 won, and SK Hynix jumped 8.61 percent to 908,000 won.

Hyundai Motor rose 4.14 percent, LG Energy Solution gained 2.23 percent, Samsung Biologics climbed 2.72 percent, SK Square advanced 6.29 percent, Doosan Enerbility rose 4.99 percent and Kia gained 3.23 percent. Hanwha Aerospace alone was down 1.67 percent.

The KOSDAQ was up 45.30 points, or 4.11 percent, at 1,147.58 at the same time, rebounding after 3 sessions.

In Seoul's foreign exchange market, the won was quoted at 1,471.00 per dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 3.50 won, or 0.24 percent, from the previous session, based on Hana Bank's posted rate.