On Feb. 19, the first trading session after the Lunar New Year holiday, South Korea's KOSPI surged in early trade and broke above 5,600 for the first time. Securities stocks also jumped broadly on moves such as treasury share cancellations, with a string of shares setting fresh 52-week highs.

The KOSPI was up 138.56 points, or 2.52 percent, at 5,645.57 as of 9:20 a.m., compared with the previous session.

The benchmark index opened up 135.08 points, or 2.45 percent, at 5,642.09 and climbed as high as 5,673.11 at one point.

With the KOSPI hitting record highs day after day and turnover rising, buying interest is gathering in securities stocks on expectations of improved earnings.

Mirae Asset Securities was trading at 69,000 won, up 12.01 percent from the previous session.

It jumped as high as 69,900 won during the session, setting a fresh 52-week high.

SK Securities rose 29.98 percent, and SangSangIn Securities gained 29.97 percent. Hyundai Motor Securities climbed 26.69 percent, and Hanwha Investment & Securities added 18.21 percent. Eugene Investment & Securities rose 18.62 percent, with shares setting fresh 52-week highs, including by recording daily upper limits.

Expectations that securities stocks could benefit if a third revision to the Commercial Act, including mandatory treasury share cancellations, is passed also appear to be pushing up share prices.

At the same time, the Kosdaq was up 15.46 points, or 1.40 percent, at 1,121.54 from the previous session.