Seoul shares open nearly flat amid peace talks uncertainties

▲ This EPA photo shows a bus station in Tehran on April 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

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Seoul shares open nearly flat amid peace talks uncertainties

SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started almost flat Wednesday following a record-breaking rally, amid lingering uncertainties over U.S.-Iran peace talks.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened at 6,387.57, down 0.9 point, or 0.01 percent.

With the end of a two-week ceasefire looming, investor sentiment weakened after Iran rejected a second round of negotiations and U.S. Vice President JD Vance put his trip to Pakistan on hold.

U.S. stocks closed lower overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.59 percent and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.59 percent.

After the closing bell, however, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would extend a ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a "unified" proposal.

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