South Korea extends stock market hours, eyeing round-the-clock trading

South Korea's main stock exchange is moving to extend its trading hours, marking another step toward eventual 24-hour market operations. Under the new arrangement, the Korea Exchange will allow trading to continue until 8 PM, compared with the current regular market close at 3:30 PM.

The extension reflects a broader international trend among major financial hubs to offer longer trading windows and eventually round-the-clock market access. By expanding trading hours, the Korea Exchange seeks to improve market liquidity, accommodate a wider range of domestic and international investors, and maintain competitive parity with other global exchanges operating on extended schedules.

The move comes as financial markets worldwide increasingly adapt to meet the demands of a globally connected investor base operating across multiple time zones. South Korea's initiative signals the exchange's commitment to modernising its operations and strengthening its position as a regional financial centre.

Regulatory and operational details regarding the extended trading session, including session-specific rules and participation requirements, are expected to be refined ahead of implementation. The Korea Exchange has positioned the gradual extension as part of a longer-term roadmap toward more continuous market operations.