KOSPI climbs to record levels on AI and chip demand The Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 0.87 % to 4,952.53 on Jan. 22, briefly breaking the 5,000 mark, while it closed at a record 4,840.74 on Jan. 16 and opened above 4,800 the same day, marking an 11‑session rally driven by semiconductor and AI‑related stocks [1][2][3].

Former President Yoon faces first ruling on martial‑law charges Seoul’s Central District Court sentenced Yoon Suk‑yeol to five years on obstruction and related counts, and a separate hearing on Jan. 16 awaited the first verdict on the same martial‑law case, with prosecutors seeking up to ten years [1][2][3].

Seoul launches new channels to revive inter‑Korean exchanges Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young pledged multilateral projects to restart North‑South contacts, while vice ministers inaugurated a regular consultative luncheon to coordinate policy, signaling a coordinated push to resume exchanges [1][2].