South Korea's KOSPI rose more than 1 percent in early trading on March 16. The KOSDAQ opened slightly lower.
As of 9:18 a.m., the KOSPI was up 70.45 points, or 1.28 percent, from the previous session at 5,557.69. The index opened up 23.58 points, or 0.43 percent, at 5,510.82.
By investor type, institutions were net buyers of 125.9 billion won, leading the rise. Retail investors and foreigners were net sellers of 32.3 billion won and 91.4 billion won, respectively.
Among top stocks by market value, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix were both gaining.
Samsung Electronics rose 2.34 percent to 187,800 won and SK Hynix gained 3.74 percent to 944,000 won. LG Energy Solution, Hanwha Aerospace, SK Square, Doosan Enerbility and Kia were also higher.
Hyundai Motor and Samsung Biologics, meanwhile, were down 0.77 percent and 1.51 percent, respectively.
At the same time, the KOSDAQ was down 3.03 points, or 0.26 percent, from the previous session at 1,149.93.
In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won was trading at 1,494.10 per dollar, up 4.90 won, or 0.33 percent, from the previous session.
Oh Sang-yup
yub@d-today.co.kr