Seoul: Won, shares end up on strong risk sentiment

[SEOUL] South Korea's won and shares ended more than one per cent higher on Monday, on strong risk sentiment that was boosted by better-than-expected US jobs data.

The won was quoted at 1,146.7 to the US dollar at the conclusion of onshore trade, up 1.3 per cent compared to the previous close of 1,161.8.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) closed up 1.3 per cent at 1,988.54 points.

Offshore investors bought a net 268.8 billion won (S$315.35 million) worth of Kospi shares on Monday.

Shares of defence industry-related firms such as Hanwha Techwin Co Ltd and Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd jumped on North Korea's military threat concerning South Korea's deployment of the Thaad missile defence system.

REUTERS