The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, aka KOSPI, on Dec. 30 finished the year at 4,214.17 on the year's final trading day as shown on the monitor of Hana Bank's dealing room in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Yonhap News)

By Kang Gahui

The country's main stock market this year showed growth of over 75% to lead the G20 (Group of 20) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The Korea Exchange on Dec. 30 released a summary of the 2025 securities market saying the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, aka KOSPI, on the final trading day of the year closed at 4,214.17, up 75.6% from 2,399 on the same day last year.

The growth rate was far higher than that of No. 2 Chile (57%) as well as those of Japan (27%), China (18%) and the U.S. (17%).

KOSPI on April 9 had plunged to a year-low 2,293 due to rising uncertainty at home and abroad from factors like political instability and fears over reciprocal tariffs with the U.S. With the launch of the Lee administration, however, the index rebounded thanks to government stimulation of capital markets and improvement in semiconductor conditions.

Sectors with high growth included machinery and equipment (133.7%), electrical and electronics (127.9%), electricity and gas (103.5%), and securities (99.9%).

The exchange said, "The leading reasons behind the stock market's growth include improved performances by shipbuilding, the defense industry, nuclear power and semiconductors amid the global trend of interest rate cuts, as well as expectations for government policy to reinvigorate capital markets."

kgh89@korea.kr