South Korea Stocks Surge 4.6% on US-Iran Deal Hopes

South Korean stocks closed sharply higher on Monday, with the benchmark KOSPI index jumping 4.6 percent. The rally comes as investors grow optimistic that the United States and Iran may reach a diplomatic agreement, easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The index's gain was its largest single-day rise in months, driven by strong buying in technology and energy shares. Analysts say a potential deal could lower oil prices and reduce global uncertainty, benefiting export-heavy economies like South Korea.