KOSPI Surpasses 5,000 Points Intraday, Extending 12‑Session Rally
Updated (2 articles)
Record‑Breaking Intraday Surge on Jan 22 The Korea Composite Stock Price Index opened about 2 percent higher and briefly crossed the 5,000‑point threshold at roughly 9:01 a.m. local time, marking the first intraday breach of that level [1]. The surge occurred amid a 12‑session winning streak that began the year, reinforcing domestic momentum after the index first topped 4,000 less than three months earlier [1]. The brief pause later in the session did not erase the milestone, underscoring rapid gains in Korea’s equity market [1].
Continued Rally Reinforces Year‑Long Uptrend Over the same 12‑session rally, the KOSPI rose more than 16 percent, having doubled from the 2,398.94 level at the start of the previous year [2]. On Jan 19 the index closed at a record 4,904.66, the first close above 4,900, and hit an intraday high of 4,917.37 despite early losses linked to U.S. tariff threats [2]. These figures confirm a sustained upward trajectory that builds on last year’s 75‑percent surge [2].
U.S. Market Moves Influence Korean Gains U.S. equities climbed after President Trump withdrew his plan to impose Greenland‑related tariffs on eight European nations, with the Dow up 1.21 percent, the S&P 500 up 1.16 percent, and the Nasdaq up 1.18 percent [1]. Earlier, Trump’s tariff threats had sparked volatility in the Korean market, yet the KOSPI’s rally persisted, indicating resilience to external policy shocks [2]. The interplay between U.S. policy shifts and Korean market sentiment highlights the global connectivity of the recent rally [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: KOSPI tops 5,000 intraday as index hits new milestone – Details the Jan 22 intraday breach of 5,000 points, the 12‑session rally, and U.S. market gains after tariff retreat .
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2.
Yonhap: KOSPI closes at record 4,904.66 with intraday high of 4,917.37 – Covers the Jan 19 record close above 4,900, the intraday high, and the broader 12‑session rally that has more than doubled the index since the previous year .
Timeline
Oct 27, 2025 – The KOSPI first breaches the 4,000‑point barrier, setting a new psychological level that fuels investor optimism and paves the way for the rapid gains seen in early 2026 [1].
Early January 2026 (start of the year) – A 12‑session winning streak begins, lifting the index more than 16 % in just 12 trading days and more than doubling it from 2,398.94 a year earlier, underscoring a powerful uptrend that will drive record highs [2].
Jan 19, 2026 – The KOSPI closes at a record 4,904.66, the first close above 4,900, after reaching an intraday high of 4,917.37; the rally persists despite an early dip triggered by President Donald Trump’s threat of new tariffs on eight European nations over his Greenland plans [2].
Jan 22, 2026 – The KOSPI briefly tops the 5,000‑point mark intraday at about 9:01 a.m. local time, after opening roughly 2 % higher, marking a milestone reached less than three months after the October 4,000 breakthrough and highlighting the market’s sustained momentum [1].
Jan 22, 2026 – U.S. equities surge as President Trump retracts his Greenland‑related tariff proposal on eight European countries; the Dow Jones climbs 1.21 %, the S&P 500 rises 1.16 %, and the Nasdaq gains 1.18 %, providing supportive global sentiment for Asian markets [1].