South Korea's KOSPI on Tuesday broke above the 4,600 mark for the first time before seesawing in intraday trading and closing higher in the 4,550 range.

The KOSPI ended up 25.58 points, or 0.57 percent, at 4,551.06, extending the record high of 4,525.48 set the previous day.

The index opened up 40.86 points, or 0.90 percent, at 4,566.34 and extended gains, breaking above 4,600 for the first time in early trade. It later pared gains and moved between gains and losses before turning higher again late in the session.

Samsung Electronics closed up 1.51 percent at 141,000 won. It opened up 3.31 percent at 143,500 won and extended gains to as high as 144,400 won.

The shares swung in the afternoon, falling as much as 0.94 percent to 137,600 won at one point. They rebounded and ended the session recovering the 140,000-won level. It was the first time Samsung Electronics' shares topped 140,000 won either intraday or at the close.

SK Hynix, which had risen as much as 4.96 percent intraday, also came under pressure at one point but ended up 2.20 percent at 742,000 won.

The KOSPI, which had topped 4,600 at one point in the morning, ended at 4,551.06 after fluctuations, as the two largest stocks by market capitalisation in South Korea trimmed their gains.

The KOSDAQ, however, ended down 8.58 points, or 0.90 percent, at 947.39.

[Yonhap]