[Digital Today reporter Sangyeop Oh (오상엽)] South Korea's KOSPI broke above the 6,600 level for the first time on April 27, setting a fresh record. A sharp rise in semiconductor shares combined with foreign inflows to push the index to a new milestone.

The KOSPI ended up 139.40 points, or 2.15 percent, at 6,615.03. The index opened at 6,533.60, up 57.97 points, or 0.90 percent, from the previous session, then extended gains to move above 6,600.

By investor type, individuals were net sellers of 1.9739 trillion won. Foreign investors and institutions were net buyers of 887.6 billion won and 1.1019 trillion won, respectively, lifting the index.

Most of the top market-cap stocks rose. Samsung Electronics climbed 2.28 percent to 224,500 won, while SK Hynix jumped 5.73 percent to 1,292,000 won, leading gains.

Hyundai Motor rose 2.14 percent, SK Square gained 8.83 percent, Doosan Enerbility added 1.42 percent and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 0.30 percent to end higher.

LG Energy Solution fell 3.53 percent, Hanwha Aerospace dropped 0.62 percent and Samsung Biologics slid 1.24 percent.

The Kosdaq also rose. The Kosdaq index closed up 22.34 points, or 1.86 percent, at 1,226.18.

In Seoul's foreign exchange market, the won ended at 1,472.50 per dollar, up 5.00 won from the previous session.