South Korean stocks opened higher Monday, with the Kospi gaining 44.11 points, or 0.64%, to 6,938.34 as major chipmakers followed a rally in U.S. semiconductor shares. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 2.78% Friday, while the Nasdaq rose 0.39% and the S&P 500 edged up 0.17%. Seoul stocks had already advanced 2.66% on Friday as easing inflation concerns improved sentiment. Elevated oil prices and persistent Middle East tensions continued to temper the outlook, with Brent crude trading around $104.68 a barrel.