From 14 September 2026 the Korean stock market stays open until 20:00. KRX is abolishing the after-hours single-price session (16:00–18:00), where trading was possible only by auction at ten-minute intervals, and replacing it with a continuous trading session running from 16:00 to 20:00 — the After-Market. The Exchange frames the move as a response to competition for liquidity with the US exchanges, which are working towards 24×5 trading to capture Asian retail flow. 38 securities companies, representing 95.2% of market share, are expected to participate.

What's inside

• 1. Key points — the regulatory basis (KOSPI and KOSDAQ Business Regulations, approved by the FSC on 9 September), and a session-by-session comparison of the current and revised trading day across KRX and NextTrade
• 2. Background — why the Pre-Market was deferred and the After-Market brought forward alone, and the 23-week simulated market that preceded launch
• 3–4. Expected effects and next steps — and the Exchange's stated intention to examine a further phased extension of trading hours
• Annex 1 — outline of the scheme — trading hours, permitted order types, eligible issues and the exclusion of ETFs and ETNs, the ±30% price limit, volatility interruptions, short selling regulation, the dedicated market making scheme, disclosure receipt hours and trading halts
• Annex 2 — all nine FAQs — including how an order is routed between KRX and the ATS under best execution standards, why ETFs and ETNs are excluded, and why disclosure hours are not being extended

The After-Market at a glance

Item	Position
Trading hours	16:00–20:00 (continuous trading)
Replaces	After-hours single-price session, 16:00–18:00 (abolished)
Eligible issues	KOSPI and KOSDAQ shares and DRs (KONEX excluded)
ETFs and ETNs	Excluded for now
Order types	Limit, best limit and immediately executable limit only
Price limit	±30% of the base price for the day
Volatility interruption	Dynamic 3% or 6%; static 10%; two-minute auction
Disclosure receipt hours	07:30–18:00, unchanged
Settlement	T+2
Expected participants	38 securities companies (95.2% market share)