Korea Hot Stocks-Asiana Airlines, Shipbuilders surge

SEOUL, March 19 (Reuters) - Stocks on the move on Wednesday include:

As of 0256 GMT, the main KOSPI was up 2.41 percent at 1,627.03 points, led by banks such as Kookmin Bank (060000.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) after a deep U.S. interest rate cut and better-than-expected earnings by two top U.S investment banks soothed investors concerned by the Bear Sterns fire sale.

The index opened 2.36 percent higher at 1,626.28 points.

**ASIANA AIRLINES JUMP AS SET TO LIST ON KOSPI**

Shares in Asiana Airlines 020560.KQ, the country's second biggest carrier, soared 5.8 percent to 6,380 won after it reported late on Tuesday that it had been told by the Korea Exchange that it satisfied all necessary conditions for listing on the main KOSPI index from the junior Kosdaq.

"Asiana Airlines' transfer from Kosdaq market to KOSPI, which should happen in April, will lead to increased market value and more buying from institutional investors," said Jay Ryu, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.

However, rival Korean Air Co (003490.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) lost 1.64 percent to 53,900 won and the junior Kosdaq was up 1.9 percent.

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**SHIPBUILDERS SURGE ON HOPES FOR STRONG EARNINGS**