Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has urged medical school professors not to walk off the job in solidarity with protesting junior doctors.
The Kospi rose 27.71 points, or 1.05 percent, to 2,656.33 despite overnight losses on Wall Street.
Shinhan, Hana, Woori and KB all reported an on-year drop in earnings for the first quarter, driven largely by compensation reserves for Hong Kong-tied derivative products.
Korea's flag carrier is opening a new route to Macau as it continues to expand its destinations to meet demand.
Kia achieved record quarterly operating profit of 3.43 trillion won despite a decline in sales, which the company attributed to slowing EV demand and supply shortages.
Four contenders have filed for approval to become Korea's fourth internet-only bank.
Police conducted another raid on the newly elected president of the Korea Medical Association, Lim Hyun-taek, on suspicion of inciting the walkout by junior doctors.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Visit Korea Committee welcomed foreign visitors arriving in Korea at Incheon International Airport on Friday to kick off Welcome Week.
President Yoon Suk Yeol will hold talks with liberal Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung at the presidential office on Monday, according to the presidential office on Friday.
McDonald's Korea will hike prices by an average of 2.8 percent on certain menu items from May 2, following an industry-wide trend in the last month.
Korea JoongAng Daily Sitemap