The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.4% to around 2,625 points early Wednesday, reversing losses from the previous session, with chip and auto stocks leading the advance.
The index also tracked Wall Street’s overnight gains amid expectations of softer-than-expected reciprocal tariffs from Trump.
In South Korea, business sentiment rebounded for the first time in five months in March, but remained pessimistic for the following month due to uncertainties over global trade.
Among index heavyweights, chip giant Samsung Electronics gained 0.8%, while its peer SK Hynix surged 1.4%.
In the auto sector, Hyundai Motor (3.2%) and sister company Kia Corp (1.4%) extended gains after the auto group unveiled a new US investment plan to help avoid tariffs.
