STOCKS | South Korea's KOSPI Rises 1.6% for Second Straight Session

South Korea's KOSPI rose for a second straight session as chip stocks advanced, closing up 1.6% at 6,687.21 points. According to Sina Finance, the index fell 1.5% for the week. South Korea's presidential office said it is still reviewing a proposal to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz and has not made any decision. According to Sina Finance, the office said South Korea could make some contribution to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz without harming its existing readiness posture. South Korea's finance ministry said regulators will closely monitor the domestic bond market and maintain stable management to guard against sharp market volatility. According to Sina Finance, officials cited higher sovereign bond issuance, global artificial intelligence companies issuing corporate bonds, expectations of rate hikes in major economies, and tensions in the Middle East pushing up oil prices. South Korea will delay by six months a planned increase in the minimum market capitalization threshold for listed companies. According to Sina Finance, companies that meet the conditions and face delisting risk will also be allowed to transfer to the KONEX market without going through a liquidation trading period.