South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.5% to around 6,890 on Friday, extending gains from the previous session as major chipmakers benefited from strong semiconductor exports and continued expectations for shareholder returns. Samsung Electronics gained about 1% and SK hynix climbed roughly 4%. Semiconductor shipments nearly tripled to $26 billion in the first 20 days of August, reinforcing expectations that artificial intelligence-driven demand will continue to support South Korea’s key technology sector. KB Financial Group, Shinhan Financial Group and SK Inc also advanced 2.0%, 3.0% and 2.3%, respectively. Renewed gains in U.S. Treasury yields limited the market’s upside as investors questioned whether an expanded Treasury bond buyback plan would provide lasting relief from elevated borrowing costs. Brent crude rose more than 2% amid renewed U.S.-Iran tensions, increasing concerns about inflation and energy costs. The broader trade data showed exports up 56% year over year to $55.2 billion in the first 20 days of August, the highest value for that period in any August, while imports rose 19% to $41.2 billion, producing a $14 billion surplus. The figures differed from an earlier report of 61.5% growth after adjustment for working-day differences, which followed an initially reported 62.9% increase for the same period in July. Sustained export growth supports the case for further interest rate hikes.