The benchmark KOSPI and won-dollar exchange rate are displayed at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
Seoul shares extended losses late Monday morning, led by falls in chipmakers, bucking gains on Wall Street, as renewed tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment.
After opening 0.85 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended losses, falling 392.53 points, or 5.25 percent, to 7,083.41 as of 11:20 a.m.
The decline came as the United States and Iran exchanged fresh strikes over the status of the Strait of Hormuz.
On Sunday (U.S. time), the U.S. military launched strikes against Iran following Iran's drone attacks on U.S. allies in the Middle East.
