South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.93% to 7,019.5 by 9:15 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2026, as gains in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix outweighed concerns over escalating Middle East tensions and rising oil prices. The index opened 0.26% higher. U.S. stocks closed lower overnight, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index gained 1.3% on continued optimism over artificial-intelligence demand. In Seoul, Samsung Electronics rose 0.37% and SK hynix advanced 1.78%. Hyundai Motor gained 0.78%, while Hanwha Aerospace climbed 2.43%. Hanwha Ocean jumped 4.18% after saying it had been selected as the preferred bidder for a Royal Thai Navy frigate project worth about $500 million. The Korean won weakened 3.4 won from the previous session’s close to 1,339.4 per dollar.