The benchmark KOSPI climbed 1.73% to close at 3,610 on Friday, ending significantly higher after the seven-day Chuseok holiday amid renewed optimism over the global AI boom. Investor sentiment strengthened following news that Nvidia-backed Reflection AI raised $2 billion at an $8 billion valuation, driving semiconductor and technology shares higher, led by SK Hynix (7.84%) and Samsung Electronics (5.96%). In addition, pharmaceutical stocks such as Samsung Biologics (0.30%) and Yuhan (0.58%) edged higher after Celltrion received US FDA approval for its Eydenzelt biosimilar. The drug, referencing Eylea, targets a global market worth KRW 13.33 trillion and has already secured approvals in Europe and Australia, further boosting confidence in South Korea’s pharmaceutical sector.