South Korean stocks rose a fraction Monday as investors took to the sidelines ahead of the first - quarter earnings season . The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index ( KOSPI ) edged up 1 . 01 points , or 0 . 05 percent , to 2 . 046 . 43 . Samsung Electronics gained 2 . 51 percent as it is expected to release its first - quarter earnings guidance this week . SK Hynix and SK Telecom were bullish . Construction shares also rose on expectations about the Iranian nuclear deal and cheaper borrowing costs . The KOSDAQ recouped the 660 mark for the first time in seven years and two months . The index gained 0 . 62 percent to end at 662 . 15 . [ ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk . co . kr , All rights reserved ]