Seoul shares end higher amid hopes for easing Mideast tensions

South Korean shares closed higher Friday amid hopes the U.S. and Israel-led war against Iran, weighing heavily on global financial markets, may end sooner than expected. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 17.98 points, or 0.31 percent, to finish at 5,781.2. The KOSPI had kicked off nearly 1 percent higher but reduced earlier gains as foreigners dumped a net 2.6 trillion won ($1.7 billion). Retail investors and institutions purchased local shares worth 2.2 trillion won

By The Korea Herald