South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index (the Korea Composite Stock Price Index) surged nearly 3% on Tuesday, briefly crossing the 6,000-point threshold for the first time since early March, as investor sentiment improved following signals that Washington and Tehran may return to the negotiating table. The gains came after US President Donald Trump indicated Iran was open to a deal, and the Wall Street Journal reported that the two sides had exchanged detailed proposals on uranium enrichment — despite the US military having launched a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz (a critical global oil shipping lane) earlier this week after weekend talks in Islamabad broke down. Tech and financial stocks led the rally, with chip maker SK Hynix jumping over 6%, while defence stocks fell as prospects of de-escalation dimmed their appeal.