Seoul shares close at fresh peak above 9,100 on chip gains amid US-Iran talks

South Korean stocks finished at an all-time high Monday on a continued rally in semiconductor shares amid signs of progress in US-Iran talks to end their monthslong war in the Middle East.

The local currency lost against the U.S. dollar.

After opening 1.08 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 62.13 points, or 0.69 percent, to 9,114.55 after rising as high as 9,253.00.

Trade volume was moderate at 377.2 million shares worth 41.4 trillion won ($26.9 billion) ...