South Korea’s KOSPI reclaimed the 7,000 level during morning trading as both major stock indexes extended gains, shrugging off overnight declines in New York linked to Middle East geopolitical tensions and surging oil prices. At 9:10 a.m. on the 9th, the KOSPI stood at 6,996.87, up 0.62% from the previous session, after opening 0.26% higher at 6,972.87 and moving above and below 7,000. Retail investors bought a net 50.9 billion won on the main board, while foreign and institutional investors sold a combined net 59.4 billion won. The KOSDAQ rose 1.55%, supported by 80.2 billion won in net foreign buying. Market gains reflected a sector rotation rather than uniform strength: KOSPI chipmakers were mixed, while power infrastructure, shipbuilding and nuclear-related shares advanced. On the KOSDAQ, funds moved from large-cap biotech stocks into semiconductor materials, parts and equipment companies, as well as AI power-infrastructure shares. Kiwoom Securities analyst Han Ji-young said persistent macro volatility, higher Middle East oil prices and caution ahead of the August consumer price index release were shaping sentiment. Han described the struggle around 7,000 as supply absorption and a healthy rotation toward sectors with clearer earnings visibility.