Seoul stocks fell over 4 percent Tuesday, weighed by heavy foreign selling, as U.S. President Donald Trump renewed threats against Iran, with no end in sight to the monthlong Middle East war. The Korean won weakened sharply against the U.S. dollar to a 17-year low.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 224.84 points, or 4.26 percent, to 5,052.46, extending the losing streak to a fourth session.
Trade volume was a bit heavy at 1.15 billion shares worth 28.23 trillion won (US$13.64 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 789 to 117.
Foreigners sold a net 3.84 trillion won worth of shares, while institutional and retail investors purchased a net 1.03 trillion won and 2.43 trillion won worth of shares, respectively.
Risk-off sentiment intensified as the conflict, which began in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, showed signs of further escalation.
