[DigitalToday reporter Oh Sang-yup] The KOSPI on Monday failed to regain the 5,500 level despite an 'earnings surprise' from Samsung Electronics.

The KOSPI ended up 44.45 points, or 0.82 percent, at 5,494.78. It opened up 101.86 points, or 1.87 percent, at 5,552.19 and rose as high as 5,594.90 in early trading.

It later pared gains on lingering Middle East war risks and repeatedly swung between gains and losses, at one point turning lower, before returning to an uptrend late in the session.

Foreign investors led the market higher with net purchases of 406.9 billion won. Individuals sold a net 342.7 billion won and institutions sold a net 414.2 billion won.

Large-cap stocks were mostly higher. SK Hynix posted the biggest gain, up 30,000 won, or 3.39 percent, to 916,000 won, while Samsung Electronics ended up 3,400 won, or 1.76 percent, at 196,500 won.

Hanwha Aerospace rose 6.00 percent, SK Square gained 2.46 percent, Samsung Biologics added 1.99 percent and Hyundai Motor climbed 0.85 percent.

LG Energy Solution fell 0.97 percent, Doosan Enerbility dropped 0.84 percent and Kia ended down 0.53 percent.

The Kosdaq ended down 10.64 points, or 1.02 percent, at 1,036.73.

In Seoul's foreign exchange market, the won was quoted at 1,504.10 per dollar, up 4.40 won, or 0.29 percent, from the previous session.