KOSPI Smashes 4,600 Barrier: Defense and Battery Shares Drive 2026 Rally

South Korea’s benchmark stock index has entered uncharted territory. On January 12, 2026, the KOSPI surged past the 4,600-point mark for the first time in history, closing at 4,624.79. This 0.84% jump marks a seven-session winning streak, with the index climbing nearly 10% since the year began.

Geopolitics Fueling the KOSPI 4600 Breakthrough

The rally's primary engines were defense and battery stocks. According to analysts, reports of U.S. President Donald Trump considering military options in Iran spiked interest in Korean defense firms. Lee Jae-won from Shinhan Securities noted that intensifying global tensions are forcing nations to ramp up defense spending, directly benefiting Korean exporters.

• POSCO Future M skyrocketed 6.88% to 188,000 won.
• LG Energy Solution jumped 4.41% to 379,000 won.
• LIG Nex1 increased 3.32% to 560,000 won.

Currency Pressure Amid Institutional Buying

While institutional investors led the charge with a net purchase of 210.3 billion won, foreign and individual investors were net sellers. Despite the stock market's strength, the Korean won weakened significantly, closing at 1,468.4 against the U.S. dollar, down 10.8 won from the previous session.