South Korean shares closed higher on Thursday, as investors closely followed the ongoing U.S.-China talks in Beijing.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased by 137.4 points, or 1.8%, to end at 7,981.41. The Kosdaq declined by 14.16 points, or 1.2%, to close at 1,191.09.
In economic news, South Korea's money supply increased in March, as the broad money, or M2, rose 0.4% to 4,132.1 trillion won from 4,113.6 trillion won a month earlier, the Bank of Korea said.
The country's narrow money, or M1, increased 0.7% to 1,368.7 trillion won from 1,358.6 trillion won in February.
In corporate news, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance (KRX:000810) closed 8% higher after posting first-quarter net income of 634.7 billion won, up 4.4% from 608.1 billion won a year earlier.