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SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened higher Wednesday, despite overnight losses on Wall Street amid lingering concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) spending.
After opening 0.44 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 110.66 points, or 1.83 percent, to 6,146.01 as of 9:15 a.m.
The index tumbled 5.46 percent the previous day, dragged down by losses in technology shares amid renewed woes over big AI firms' heavy capital spending.
U.S. stocks closed lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.35 percent, and the Nasdaq declined 0.15 percent.
The PHLX chip index fell 0.23 percent, down for a fifth straight session, while Broadcom CEO Hock Tan likened the current AI investment flow to "casino gambling."
This photo shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul after the market close on Oct. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
In Seoul, tech shares led the gains.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics jumped 3.02 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix climbed 2.36 percent.
Internet giant Naver went up 1.18 percent, and leading mobile carrier SK Telecom vaulted 4.5 percent.
Kia, the second-largest carmaker, rose 1.39 percent, and its auto parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis advanced 2.87 percent.
The Korean won was trading at 1,338.50 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.2 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.
brk@yna.co.kr
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