The main stock market index KOSPI on Jan. 22 crossed the 5,000 mark for the first time in history in early morning trade. Shown are dealers that day celebrating the milestone in front of the electronic billboard at the dealing room of Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Seon Ah

The country's main stock index KOSPI has crossed the 5,000 mark for the first time in its history.

The Korea Exchange on Jan. 22 said morning trading from 9:01 a.m. saw the index hit 5,001.97, up 1.87% from the previous day and the first time for KOSPI to surpass the mark.

The market's top two market cap leaders -- Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix -- showed simultaneous growth of over 3% each.

As of 9:05 a.m., Samsung Electronics was traded at KRW 154,400, up 3.28 % or KRW 4,900, and later rose to a 52-week high of KRW 155,000 during the day.

SK Hynix recorded KRW 768,000, up 3.78% or KRW 28,000. Other listed semiconductor stocks such as DB HiTek, Shinsung E&G and TL Engineering also performed well.

Among risers were market cap leaders Hyundai Motors (5.83%), LG Energy Solution (0.83%), Kia Corp. (1.5%) and Doosan Enerbility (2.74%).

The secondary market KOSDAQ also showed strength by rising 1.37% to 964.31.

sofiakim218@korea.kr