South Korea’s stock market has surged on the back of a semiconductor boom, surpassing France to turn into the ninth-largest globally by market capitalization. The rise is attributed to strong performance in the technology sector and investor-friendly policies that have attracted both foreign and institutional capital.
According to data compiled by Bloomberg on February 25, 2026, the market capitalization of the Korean stock market has increased by approximately $2.23 trillion (roughly 3,200 trillion Korean won) since last year, reaching $3.76 trillion. This figure exceeds France’s market capitalization of $3.69 trillion, elevating South Korea to the ninth-largest stock market worldwide.
The influx of capital into key sectors like memory semiconductors, robotics, and other AI-related industries has driven the Kospi index’s impressive gains. Year-to-date, the Kospi has risen by more than 44%, marking the highest increase among major global stock markets. This performance underscores the growing investor confidence in South Korea’s technology sector.
Leading the charge are two of the country’s semiconductor giants. Samsung Electronics has seen its share price climb nearly 70% since the beginning of the year, while SK Hynix has recorded a gain of approximately 56%, significantly contributing to the overall market rally.
On February 25, 2026, the Kospi index broke through the 6,000 mark for the first time, both during trading hours and at market close, setting a new milestone. The index opened at 6,022.70 and briefly reached as high as 6,144 during the session before closing around the 6,083 level, officially ushering in the “Kospi 6,000 era.” Samsung Electronics’ share price exceeded 200,000 won, earning it the moniker “200,000 won stock,” while SK Hynix surpassed 1 million won, becoming a “1 million won stock.” The gains of these two companies were instrumental in achieving the Kospi’s record high.
In contrast, France’s CAC 40 index has only seen an increase of about 4% this year. This is likely due to a lower proportion of technology stocks and uncertainties surrounding the political and economic landscape.
Despite the stock market gains, France’s overall economy remains larger than South Korea’s. According to the World Bank’s 2024 data, South Korea’s gross domestic product (GDP) is approximately $1.88 trillion, ranking it 12th globally, while France’s GDP is around $3.16 trillion, placing it 7th.
Bloomberg reported that a shortage and rising prices of memory semiconductors have boosted the share prices of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Companies involved in robotics and future mobility have likewise performed strongly, contributing to the broader market increase. The report also noted that government policies aimed at improving corporate governance and fostering shareholder value have played a role in strengthening investor sentiment.
