Korea's benchmark stock index breached the 6,000 mark on Wednesday, one month after topping the 5,000-point threshold amid an extended rally in chipmakers. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was at 6012.44 at 9:03 a.m., up 42.8 points, or 0.72 percent, from the previous session's close. On Tuesday, the KOSPI climbed 2.11 percent to finish at an all-time high of 5,969.64, driven by gains in semiconductor and automobile shares. The index has maintained upward momentum in recent weeks, surpassing the 5,000-point threshold for the first time on Jan. 27 and crossing 5,500 on Feb. 12. It moved above 5,800 on Friday.