South Korea’s main stock market will extend trading hours by 30 minutes starting Monday, with the closing time extended from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
 
The regular session for the securities and gold markets will go from the current six hours to six-and-a-half hours between 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
 
However, the Korea Exchange (KRX) decided to reduce the after-hours trading by 30 minutes, operating from 3:40 p.m. to 6 p.m.
 
It would mark the first time the market operator alters its trading hours since 2000 when it allowed stock trading during lunch hours.
 
The regular session for the derivatives market will close at 3:45 p.m., instead of the current 3:15 p.m.
 
The KRX expects the extension will lead to a five to six percent increase in transactions.