From Jan. 2 to Wednesday, the index gained 8.95 percent from the end of last year, but the gain lagged behind an average rise of 10.51 percent among the world's 40 stock markets during the same period, Daishin Securities said in a report.

The Kospi index ranked the 14th best-performing market among the 40 markets.

As of April 21, the Kospi's 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is expected to have a 9.1, compared with an average projected 12-month ratio of 11.9 among emerging markets, Daishin Securities said.

Some analysts suggested that investors may keep demanding a discount for purchasing South Korean stocks due to a continued perception of lax management by chaebol and geopolitical risks surrounding North Korea, a factor known as the "Korea Discount."

Kang Hyung-cheol, an executive at NH Investment & Securities, said the "Korea Discount" could be diluted if stock prices go up, but it will not be resolved.

The Kospi is likely to rise further because recent gains are supported by better-than-expected earnings by South Korean firms, analysts said.

Lee Chang-mok, head of the research division at NH Investment & Securities, said earnings by South Korean firms may be on a recovery track, thanks to a modest recovery in the global economy. (Yonhap)