Launched in 1983, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or KOSPI, had a base value of 100 as of January 4, 1980. The main stock market index in South Korea is called KOSPI. Every common stock that is traded on the Korea Exchange is represented by the index. The market capitalization approach provides the foundation for calculating the index. In 1983, KOSPI took the place of the Dow-style KCSPI (Korea Composite Stock Price Index).