KOSPI climbed nearly 3% to around 6,530 on Wednesday, extending its advance to a third straight session as heavyweight technology shares powered the market higher. Samsung Electronics rose more than 3% and SK hynix gained over 1%, with sentiment supported by optimism around strong AI-related demand and expectations for increased shareholder returns. Broader gains also came from SK Square, Hyundai Motor, LG Energy Solution, Hanwha Aerospace, KB Financial Group, Kia and Doosan Enerbility. Investors were also positioning ahead of the U.S. July inflation report, which could shape expectations for a September Federal Reserve rate decision. A softer-than-expected reading may ease concerns over a rate hike, though renewed Middle East tensions and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which pushed U.S. crude above $83 a barrel, kept inflation risks in focus.