The KOSPI gained 80.46 points, or 1.17%, to 6,951.27 by 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, supported by overnight gains in U.S. semiconductor shares. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 1.32%, lifting Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, SK Square and Samsung Electro-Mechanics. Broader U.S. markets ended lower despite falling oil prices, as persistently high Treasury yields weighed on sentiment. The S&P 500 fell 0.17%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.26% and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.09%. The Korean won traded at 1,351 per U.S. dollar, up 3 won from the previous session’s close.