Seoul - Shares rallied Tuesday on the Seoul stock exchange, tracking gains in the United States, as investors hoped that global efforts to contain the worldwide financial turmoil would pay off.

The benchmark Kospi index soared 79.16 points, or 6.1 per cent, to close at 1,367.69.

Advancing issues outpaced decliners 797 to 68.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market rose 7.65 per cent to 396.32.

On currency markets, South Korea's won surged to a two-week-high against the dollar. The dollar was quoted at 1,208 won after 1,238 won on Monday. (dpa)