SEOUL, Aug. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares opened sharply higher Friday, led by gains in major chipmakers, tracking an overnight rally in U.S. shares, as latest U.S. data eased woes over accelerating inflation.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened 182.33 points, or 2.7 percent, higher at 6,995.67.

Overnight, the U.S. stock market rose to an all-time high amid easing oil prices.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.7 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.8 percent.

U.S. wholesale inflation cooled in July as energy and food costs declined, which, along with last week's weaker than expected job data, will lessen pressure on the Federal Reserve to tighten policy.

(END)

• BTS' V reveals hearing loss, Jungkook performs through shin injury on world tour
• From 'BTS Boulevard' to U.S. governor's praise: BTS sweeps N. America on 'Arirang' tour
• TWICE's Jeongyeon leaves JYP to pursue acting career
• Gemini, BTS collaboration on display at Las Vegas Sphere

• Pyeongtaek city fails to reach U.S. military via hotline over reported white phosphorus leak: official

• BTS' V reveals hearing loss, Jungkook performs through shin injury on world tour

• From 'BTS Boulevard' to U.S. governor's praise: BTS sweeps N. America on 'Arirang' tour
• TWICE's Jeongyeon leaves JYP to pursue acting career
• Pyeongtaek city fails to reach U.S. military via hotline over reported white phosphorus leak: official

• (LEAD) Pyeongtaek city fails to reach U.S. military via hotline over reported white phosphorus leak: official

• BTS' V reveals hearing loss, Jungkook performs through shin injury on world tour

• S. Korea vows to ease regulations to support 3 megaprojects
• N. Korea again skips missile launch report
• (2nd LD) Gov't aims to supply over 230,000 additional homes in Seoul metropolitan area to tame housing prices
• Incheon airport ranks world's No. 1 in int'l passenger traffic in first half