Seoul Shares Open Higher Despite Middle East Tensions

Seoul's stock market opened higher on Wednesday, driven by gains in major chipmakers despite lingering concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended its gains from the opening bell, trading 65.98 points or 0.93 percent higher at 7,019.5 as of 9:15 a.m.

Market heavyweights led the charge, with Samsung Electronics rising 0.37 percent and chip giant SK hynix up 1.78 percent.

Top automaker Hyundai Motor also increased by 0.78 percent, while defense firm Hanwha Aerospace advanced 2.43 percent.