Seoul shares closed up Monday on hopes for an economic recovery. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) soared 21.46 points, or 1.43 percent, to 1,524.05, while the volume was moderate at 474 million shares worth 5.88 trillion won (4.73 billion U.S. dollars). The local currency ended at 1,244 won against the U.S. dollar, up 5.6 won from Friday's close. 