SEOUL — The South Korean benchmark stock index, KOSPI, continued its record-breaking streak for the 12th consecutive trading day, closing above the 4,900 level for the first time in history. Despite lingering global uncertainties regarding the U.S. Trump administration's tariff policies, investor sentiment remained unshakable, driven by a surge in the automotive sector and sustained foreign buying.

A Historic Milestone
On Monday, the KOSPI closed at 4,904.66, up 63.92 points (1.32%) from the previous session. While the index opened slightly lower at 4,829.40, it quickly gained momentum during midday trading, hitting an intraday all-time high of 4,906.07.

This remarkable rally means the KOSPI has set a new closing record every single trading day since the start of the new year. Market analysts note that the "dream milestone" of 5,000 points is now less than 100 points away.

Hyundai Motor Steals the Spotlight
The day’s most significant movement came from the automotive sector. Hyundai Motor saw its stock price skyrocket by 16.22%, catapulting it to the 3rd spot in total market capitalization. This surge also lifted its affiliates, with Kia and Hyundai Mobis rising 12.18% and 6.15%, respectively.

In contrast, large-cap tech stocks like Samsung Electronics (0.27%) and SK Hynix (1.06%) showed relatively modest gains as investors rotated capital into "post-semiconductor" leaders.

Market Dynamics and Expert Outlook
Foreign investors were the primary drivers of the day's gain, recording a net purchase of 548.1 billion won. Conversely, individual and institutional investors were net sellers, offloading 752.1 billion won and 23.6 billion won, respectively.

Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, commented on the trend: "Large-cap semiconductor stocks, which led the rally at the beginning of the year, are currently in a breathing phase near their all-time highs. We are seeing a rotation into growth and tech stocks as investors search for the next leading sector. We recommend focusing on stocks with clear earnings visibility rather than chasing those rising solely on hype."

Sector Performance and Currency
Top Sectors: Transportation Equipment & Parts (7.08%), Electricity & Gas (2.41%), and Metals (2.21%).
Losing Sectors: Textiles & Apparel (-1.27%) and Pharmaceuticals (-1.15%).
KOSDAQ: The secondary index also fared well, closing at 968.36, up 1.44%, led by secondary battery stocks like EcoPro BM (5.75%).
FX Market: The Korean Won remained nearly flat, closing at 1,473.7 won against the U.S. Dollar.
As the KOSPI approaches the psychological barrier of 5,000, all eyes are on whether the "January Effect" will sustain its momentum through the upcoming earnings season.