South Korean stocks hit record highs as regional markets shift.

South Korean stocks hit record highs as regional markets shift. The KOSPI index surged 2 percent to an all-time peak of 6,603.91, with SK Square leading gains at 9.5 percent. Meanwhile, China's industrial profits jumped 15.8 percent in March, exceeding expectations despite geopolitical tensions affecting global energy supplies. The resilience in Chinese manufacturing signals strength in the world's second-largest economy. In Japan, Honda delayed its AI self-driving technology launch to 2028 from 2027, reflecting persistent technical challenges in autonomous vehicle development. Budget carriers Frontier and Avelo are seeking 2.5 billion dollars in government aid from the Trump administration. Asian currency markets edged higher as traders assessed implications of Middle Eastern developments on global energy flows and economic stability.