They dealers said hopes for a local economic recovery and better corporate profitability combined with ample liquidity to drive and sustain the upward trend.
The KOSPI index closed up 3.08 points at 1,772.26.
SHANGHAI
Share prices closed 0.43 percent higher in volatile trading, recovering from early losses after one of China's largest lenders, Construction Bank, announced it planned a stock offer in Shanghai.
Dealers said the market clawed back gains as investors took their lead from the bank's announcement after slumping on the release of fixed asset investment data which reignited worries that the government will soon move to brake the runaway economy.
The Shanghai Composite Index closed up 17.66 points or 0.43 percent at 4,132.87.
SYDNEY
Share prices closed 0.52 percent higher, supported by improved commodities and a rebound on Wall Street.
Dealers said major resource stocks led the market up as concerns about the prospect of higher interest rates, both locally and globally, eased.
The S&P/ASX 200 rose 32.6 points at 6,293.8.
SINGAPORE
Share prices closed at a new all-time high with investor confidence energized by Wall Street's overnight bounce.
The Straits Times Index gained 7.73 points to 3,581.16.
KUALA LUMPUR
Share prices closed 0.26 percent higher in thin trade with select construction and property counters leading gains.
Dealers said property stocks were higher on news that more supportive measures will be introduced for the sector in the 2008 Budget announcement in September.
The composite index was up 3.47 points at 1,360.65.
BANGKOK
Share prices closed 1.27 percent higher, led by robust regional markets, as investors chased gains in the banking and energy sectors.
The composite index rose 9.32 points to 744.25 on turnover of 2.63 billion shares.
JAKARTA
Share prices finished 0.58 percent higher at a fresh all-time closing high, bolstered by a further rebound on Wall Street overnight, with miners well supported.
The composite index closed up 12.228 points at 2,120.640 on volume of 4.96 billion shares.
MANILA
Share prices gained 1.18 percent to reach a new record close, thanks to the rally on Wall Street where economic data indicated inflation was being kept in check.
The composite index climbed 42.67 points to 3,671.29 on volume of 7.3 billion shares.
WELLINGTON
Share prices closed 0.45 percent higher amid gains in key overseas markets, although investors kept a cautious eye on the local currency.
The NZX-50 gross index rose 18.79 points to 4,212.46.
MUMBAI
Share prices fell 0.29 percent as investors sold in late trade to lock-in gains in a choppy market.
The 30-share SENSEX index fell 41.01 points to 14,162.71, after gaining 200.69 points on Thursday.
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