The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index(KOSPI) closed higher on strong foreign buying on Monday, the first day that the 30-minute extension of trading hours was applied.

The KOSPI gained 13-point-42 points, or zero-point-67 percent, to close at two-thousand-29-point-61, setting a new record of the year. The previous record was two-thousand-27-point-34 set last Tuesday.

The main index opened higher at two-thousand-24-point-71 points, up eight-point-52 points, or zero-point-42 percent, from last Friday.

The tech-heavy KOSDAQ, on the other hand, edged down two-point-52 points, or zero-point-36 percent, to 703-point-72.

On the foreign exchange market, the value of the local currency strengthened 12-point-two won against the greenback to one-thousand-108 won, the highest level since June 24th last year.
 
Investors seem to be keeping investment in risk assets following indications the U.S. is unlikely to raise its key rate especially after its GDP growth in the second quarter fell below market expectations.

The U.S. Commerce Department said Friday that the GDP grew one-point-two percent in the second quarter, slashing the figure for the first quarter as well to eight-tenths of a percent from one-point-one percent.