▲ This photo shows a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul on March 3, 2026. (Yonhap)

stocks-summary

Seoul shares end over 7 pct lower at 5,791.91 on Middle East conflict fears; won sharply down

SEOUL, March 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks plunged more than 7 percent Tuesday to close below the 5,800-point mark as investor sentiment was dampened by escalating geopolitical concerns triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict. The Korean won lost sharply against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) tumbled 452.22 points, or 7.24 percent, to close at 5,791.91, marking the lowest closing price since Feb. 20, when the index finished at 5,808.53.

The country's main bourse operator, the Korea Exchange (KRX), issued a sell-side sidecar for 5 minutes around noon, suspending the selling of KOSPI futures.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,466.1 won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 26.4 won from the previous session's close.

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