Seoul shares closed up for a second day on Thursday on easing concerns about Europe's debt problems following a German court ruling that helped clear the way for a eurozone bailout plan, with investors awaiting a US President Barack Obama's jobs speech. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index finished up 0.72 percent to 1,846.64 points, adding to a 3.8 percent gain on Wednesday.
KOSPI 200 September futures rose 0.55 percent to 238.00. The KOSPI 200 spot index gained 1.0 percent to 238.47 and the junior Kosdaq market finished down 0.81 percent at 475.30. Samsung Electronics Co and LG Chem were among the biggest large-cap gainers, both rising more than 3 percent.
Shares in Hyundai Motor gained 1.3 percent after a company executive in charge of overseas sales forecast it would beat its 2011 global sales target. Hana Financial Group gained 2.2 percent amid hopes that regulators may approve its long overdue deal to buy Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) from US fund Lone Star, which has been delayed by legal disputes. A South Korean court holds its final hearing on stock price manipulation charges against Lone Star involving a unit of KEB on Thursday.