The KOSPI index in South Korea closed up 200.85 points, marking a 2.63% increase to reach a record high of 7,844.0 points. According to Odaily, this surge follows a clarification from the South Korean President regarding the 'universal dividend' concept, emphasizing that the idea does not imply using corporate profits to fund such dividends. Major companies contributed to the index's rise, with SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics closing up 7.9% and 1.79%, respectively. Hyundai Motor also saw a significant increase of over 9%, as the company plans to test AI-driven autonomous vehicles in Gwangju, South Korea.