Asian markets today, May 26 -- South Korea's Kospi climbed to a new record high on Tuesday, 26 May, as markets reopened after a public holiday, buoyed by optimism surrounding a possible breakthrough in the US-Iran peace negotiations.

The Kospi advanced to an intraday high of 8,094.90, while the small-cap Kosdaq gained 2.12% in early trading.

Japan's Nikkei 225 edged down 0.18% due to profit booking, and the Topix slipped 0.36%. Notably, the Nikkei 225 had crossed the 65,000 mark for the first time on Monday during thin holiday trading across Asia.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.17% at the open. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures stood at 25,430, below the benchmark index's previous close of 25,606.03 on Friday.

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