South Korea’s KOSPI index closed at 7,080.92 on September 23, rising 63.01 points, or 0.90%, on the final trading day before the Chuseok holiday. The index opened 1.94% higher at 7,153.99 after strong overnight gains in U.S. technology stocks, but profit-taking and caution ahead of the holiday erased most of the advance and briefly pushed the market slightly below its previous close. Foreign investors, who had been net buyers for three consecutive sessions, switched to net selling of 557 billion Korean won. Individuals sold a net 1.55 trillion won, while institutions and other entities bought 473 billion won and 1.64 trillion won, respectively. Memory semiconductor stocks benefited from gains on the New York Stock Exchange, helping the Nasdaq reach a second consecutive record high. International oil prices also declined after Iran proposed a conditional plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Daishin Securities researcher Lee Kyung-min said the market was cautious ahead of the September 24–25 Chuseok closure and key events including the U.S.-China summit on September 24, U.S. PCE inflation data on September 30, and Micron’s earnings announcement. Samsung Electronics rose 3%, SK Hynix gained 1%, and Samsung Electronics preferred shares advanced 4% amid expectations of a special dividend as semiconductor conditions improve. Market analysts estimate the dividend could be around 4,500 Korean won per share, with investors required to buy shares by September 28 to qualify. Solar stocks rallied on expectations of lower U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar products, while nuclear-related shares fell on profit-taking after recent gains tied to U.S. investment announcements. The KOSDAQ also advanced, gaining 10.10 points, or 1.21%, to 844.48.