South Korea's KOSPI index soared to a record high on Monday, rising over 1% to 4,898.88 points. This marks the twelfth consecutive session of gains, extending a perfect run for every trading day of 2026. The benchmark vastly outpaced broader Asian markets, which fell on U.S. trade tariff concerns.

The rally was powered by Hyundai Motor, which jumped over 13% to its own record. The automaker's surge follows speculation about a partnership with NVIDIA, fueled by a meeting between its leadership and CEO Jensen Huang. Investors are also bullish on its AI and robotics roadmap, highlighted at CES, and its U.S. investment plans.

Chipmaking stocks also provided crucial support. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix rose, taking positive cues from U.S. rival Micron's acquisition in Taiwan and a strong earnings outlook from industry bellwether TSMC. The sector remains a key driver for the index, with both Korean chipmakers set to release their December quarter earnings soon.