South Korea's main securities market is operated by Korea Exchange (KRX). KOSPI is the benchmark index associated with KRX's main stock market, not a separate exchange. The regular stock session runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Korea Standard Time.
This page uses Asia/Seoul for timezone conversion. South Korea does not currently observe daylight saving time, so the exchange schedule stays fixed in Seoul time while converted times may shift in regions that change their clocks.
Key points
- Regular KRX stock session: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Korea Standard Time.
- The regular session runs continuously without a lunch break.
- Exchange timezone: Asia/Seoul.
- KRX publishes separate pre-hours, post-hours, and holiday rules; this site's live status uses the regular session.
Regular trading and off-hours sessions
KRX's official rules distinguish the 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM regular session from pre-hours and post-hours trading. The homepage uses the regular session when deciding whether the Korean stock market is open.
KRX is closed on designated holidays and other exchange closure days. Because this page currently shows the regular weekday schedule, confirm date-sensitive decisions with the official KRX calendar.
Trading hours
| Exchange | Timezone | Regular session | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRXKorea Exchange (KOSPI Market) | Asia/Seoul | 09:00-15:30 | Seoul, South Korea |
Frequently asked questions
Are KRX and KOSPI the same thing?
No. KRX is the exchange operator. KOSPI commonly refers to its main stock market and benchmark index, so this site labels the exchange as KRX and includes KOSPI in the market name.
Does the South Korean stock market have a lunch break?
No. The regular KRX stock session runs continuously from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Seoul time.
Is KRX open on Korean public holidays?
KRX closes on designated public holidays, Labor Day, the year-end closing day, and other dates announced by the exchange. Check the latest official calendar before trading.