-- South Korean shares closed higher on Friday, hitting a new high in the fourth session of straight gains, despite escalated tensions in the Middle East.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased by 7.95 points, or 0.1%, to end at 7,498. The Kosdaq also added 8.54 points, or 0.7%, to close at 1,207.72.
The tension between the U.S. and Iran escalated on Friday after U.S. forces targeted Iranian military facilities that launched attacks against warships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command said.
The U.S. military said in a statement that U.S. forces do "not seek escalation."
Iran's armed forces said the U.S. military's airstrikes on Thursday night hit civilian areas along the coasts of Qeshm Island, Bandar Khamir and Sirik.
In economic news, South Korea's current account surplus sharply rose to $37.33 billion in March from $23.19 billion in February, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea released Friday.
Compared with the year-ago period, the figure rose from a surplus of $9.58 billion, the central bank said.
The goods account registered a surplus of $35.07 billion. Exports rose by 56.9% on an annual basis to $94.32 billion, while imports increased 17.4% to $59.24 billion.
In corporate news, Coway (KRX:021240) posted first-quarter net income attributable to shareholders of 182.02 billion won, up 31% from 138.9 billion won a year earlier, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange.
The South Korean household appliances manufacturer's sales rose 13% year over year to 1.329 trillion won from 1.174 trillion won.
Shares of Coway rose nearly 1% at market close.