AI Boom Drives Japanese and Korean Stock Markets in First Half, Korean Stocks Double, AI Infrastructure Expected to Lead in Second Half

On June 30, the Japanese and Korean stock markets officially closed for the first half of the year. Throughout the first half, AI investment emerged as the undeniable hot topic, with memory chip stocks represented by Samsung and SK Hynix seeing increases of 180% and 310% respectively. These stocks hold significant weight in the Korean stock market, contributing to an approximate 100% cumulative increase in Korean stocks, which repeatedly reached new interim highs. On the other hand, driven by corporate reforms, AI advancements, and the prosperity of the semiconductor supply chain, the Nikkei 225 index has risen by about 40% this year, while the Topix index has increased by approximately 17%. Technology stocks have been the main driving force, with chip testing equipment manufacturer Advantest rising about 65% this year and chip manufacturing equipment firm Tokyo Electron increasing by over 120%. Notably, in recent days, AI upstream infrastructure equipment and raw materials have surged in the Asia-Pacific and U.S. markets, benefiting from the news of Korea's 800 trillion won expansion. Looking ahead to the second half, 'AI infrastructure' may become a new focal point under the broader AI theme.