[DigitalToday reporter Sang-yeop Oh (오상엽)] South Korea's KOSPI rose more than 2 percent on May 26 and settled above 8,000 on a closing basis for the first time. SK Hynix also ended above 2 million won on a closing basis.

The KOSPI finished up 199.80 points, or 2.55 percent, at 8,047.51. It opened up 222.96 points, or 2.84 percent, at 8,070.91 and climbed to as high as 8,131.15, marking a new 52-week high.

This is the first time the KOSPI has closed above 8,000. The benchmark had tried to regain 8,000 over the past 6 sessions and held above the level both intraday and at the close, supported by gains in blue chips.

By investor type, institutions led the rise with net buying of 911.1 billion won. Retail investors and foreigners, in contrast, net sold 616.7 billion won and 184.1 billion won, respectively.

Foreigners were net buyers in the morning but turned to net selling in the afternoon. Institutions, which had shown a selling bias early, expanded purchases through late trading, helping the KOSPI settle above 8,000.

Top market-cap stocks were mostly higher. Samsung Electronics rose 2.22 percent to 299,000 won and SK Hynix gained 5.72 percent to 2,052,000 won.

Hyundai Motor rose 5.19 percent, Samsung Electro-Mechanics climbed 17.31 percent, LG Energy Solution added 0.25 percent, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 9.56 percent and Doosan Enerbility rose 0.90 percent.

SK Square fell 0.34 percent and Samsung Life Insurance slid 4.53 percent.

The day's strength was largely driven by chip stocks and a rebound in the electrical and electronics sector. SK Hynix stayed strong above 2 million won and Samsung Electronics also ended higher.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics surged more than 17 percent, spreading buying across the electrical and electronics sector. Shipbuilding and auto bellwethers also rose, widening the index's gains.

The KOSDAQ ended up 11.39 points, or 0.98 percent, at 1,172.52. It briefly climbed above 1,200 early in the session but later gave up some gains.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the won stood at 1,504.80 per dollar, up 7.20 won from the previous session.