According to CoinMeta, data released on Wednesday showed that South Korean listed companies achieved record profits in the first half of this year, mainly driven by the strong global demand for semiconductors used in artificial intelligence. According to data released by the South Korean exchanges, from January to June, the consolidated operating profit of 720 companies comprising the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) increased by 348.5% year-on-year, reaching 275 trillion won (approximately 195.2 billion US dollars). Their consolidated revenue also increased by 34.5%, to 1070 trillion won, while net profit soared by 330% to 2915 trillion won.