South Korea's Korea Exchange will lengthen stock trading sessions as the KOSPI index races toward President Lee Jae Myung's campaign promise of reaching 5,000 points. The move responds to soaring investor activity and market momentum that has pushed the benchmark to multi-year highs. Extended hours aim to accommodate growing international participation and retail investor engagement during daytime trading.

The KOSPI has gained substantial ground recently, fueled by optimism around economic policies and corporate earnings. Regulators hope longer sessions will improve price discovery and reduce volatility spikes seen during condensed trading windows. The expansion also aligns with broader efforts to boost Seoul's competitiveness against regional exchanges like Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Market participants expect the change to enhance liquidity and attract more foreign capital. However, some traders remain cautious about potential after-hours fatigue affecting order flow. Implementation timing hasn't been finalized, though officials indicated plans to launch within the next quarter.