The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.7% to around 3,438 on Thursday, recovering losses from the previous session, after the US Federal Reserve delivered a widely expected 25 basis point rate cut, setting a supportive tone for global equities. The decision was framed as cushioning the economy from a weakening labor market and political and economic pressures, while Chair Powell noted that future policy steps would remain data-dependent. Domestically, heavyweight chipmakers provided strong momentum, with SK Hynix climbing 4.7% and Samsung Electronics advancing 1.9% amid optimism over AI-driven demand. Other large caps were mixed, with modest gains in autos and batteries offset by losses in Hanwha Aerospace and KB Financial. Meanwhile, policymakers in Seoul reiterated that volatility in global markets was unlikely to have a lasting impact on the Korean economy, adding that domestic financial conditions remain stable.