South Korean stocks surpassed the landmark 5,500-point mark for the first time in history Thursday, boosted by sharp gains in blue-chip tech shares. The local currency gained ground against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) surged 167.78 points, or 3.13 percent, to close at an all-time high of 5,522.27. This marked the first time the KOSPI breached the 5,500-point threshold. Trade volume was heavy at 739.2 million shares worth 31.8 trillion won (US$22