KOSPI Trading Hours and 2026 Holidays: A Guide for Foreign Investors

The Korea Exchange (KRX) trades continuously from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Korea Standard Time, Monday through Friday, with no lunch break — that translates to roughly 7:00 PM to 1:30 AM US Eastern Time (standard time) or 8:00 PM to 2:30 AM during US daylight saving. KRX observes 17 scheduled holidays in 2026, including a three-day closure for Seollal (Lunar New Year), and does not adjust for US daylight saving time itself. This article is part of our Ultimate Guide to Investing in South Korean Stocks for Foreigners.

What Are KRX's Exact Trading Hours?

KRX runs a single continuous session from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM KST — the exchange eliminated its lunch break back in 2000, so trading doesn't pause midday the way some other Asian exchanges do. The final 10 minutes of each regular session operate as a closing auction rather than continuous trading.

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What Time Is That for US and European Investors?

Region	Local Time (KRX Session)
US Eastern (standard time)	7:00 PM – 1:30 AM
US Eastern (daylight saving)	8:00 PM – 2:30 AM
London (winter, GMT)	Midnight – 6:30 AM
London (summer, BST)	1:00 AM – 7:30 AM

Because KRX doesn't observe daylight saving itself (Korea Standard Time is fixed at GMT+9 year-round), the equivalent hours in other time zones shift depending on whether your own region is currently observing daylight saving.

Which Holidays Close the Market in 2026?

KRX observes 17 scheduled holidays in 2026, including full closures and at least one early-close day. The most disruptive for planning purposes is Seollal (Lunar New Year), which closes the exchange for three consecutive days — dates shift annually based on the lunar calendar. Liberation Day (August 15) is another fixed annual closure. Always check the current-year KRX holiday calendar before placing time-sensitive orders around these dates, since exact dates for lunar holidays change every year.

✅ Before Placing an Overnight Order (US Investors)

• Confirm your broker's order queuing rules for markets that trade while you're asleep
• Check the current KRX holiday calendar — don't assume last year's dates apply
• Remember KRX doesn't shift for US daylight saving changes, so your local equivalent hours will shift twice a year even if Korea's schedule doesn't change

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does KRX have a lunch break like some other Asian exchanges?

A. No, KRX removed its lunch break in 2000 and now trades continuously from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM KST.

Q2. Is KRX open on Saturdays?

A. No, KRX is closed on both Saturdays and Sundays, trading only Monday through Friday except scheduled holidays.

Q3. Can I trade EWY during KRX's actual trading hours?

A. No — EWY trades on the NYSE during standard US market hours, which don't overlap with KRX's own session; EWY's price reflects the prior KRX close plus US market sentiment until KRX reopens.