South Korean stocks advanced ahead of the Chuseok holiday as gains in U.S. artificial-intelligence and semiconductor shares boosted sentiment. The KOSPI (South Korea's main stock index) stood at 7,082.16 at 9:55 a.m. on the 23rd, up 0.92%, after opening 1.94% higher at 7,153.99. The KOSDAQ also opened higher and held its gains. Samsung Electronics rose 2.71% to 284,000 won for a fourth straight session, while other major stocks including SK hynix, SK Square, Samsung Electro-Mechanics and LG Energy Solution also advanced. Retail investors sold a net 1 trillion won ($720 million) on the KOSPI, while foreign investors bought 140 billion won ($101 million) and institutions purchased about 700 billion won ($504 million). Investors are watching the U.S.-China summit scheduled for the 24th, reports on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, Micron's earnings later this month and Samsung's preliminary third-quarter results next month. Analysts said an extension of the U.S.-China trade truce, which expires Nov. 9, could support the KOSPI's attempt to break above 7,200 after the holiday, while the index's ability to hold 7,000 suggests resistance near its upper range may be weakening.