KOSPI Rose 0.2% but Sentiment Remain Weak

Kospi +0.2% at 1555.75 in thin trade after hitting day's high of 1564.33, but likely to drift around current level today, says Lee Kyoung-min at Woori Investment & Securities;

banks, Kumho Asiana Group units up on easing concerns about group's restructuring, but foreigners still net sellers both in cash, futures markets which weighing on any meaningful rebound today.

"It's just a technical rebound after recent steep falls....Sentiment hasn't recovered fully yet, and it will likely take some time before the index returns to the upcycle," says Lee. KB Financial, Shinhan Financial, Kumho Industrial, Kumho Tire, Asiana Airlines strong. But large-cap, Samsung Electronics down on profit-taking.