Seoul shares sink over 1% ahead of tariff deadline, Q2 earnings
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 40.87 points, or 1.27 percent, to close at 3,169.94.
Trade volume was moderate at 375.19 million shares worth 11.39 trillion won ($8.2 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 686 to 208.
Institutional and foreign investors sold 413.94 billion won and 160.97 billion won worth of stocks, respectively, while individuals bought a net 511.44 billion won in shares.
"Institutions and foreigners turned net sellers after buying local stocks for the past three and eight sessions, respectively, weighing on the market," said Lee Jae-won, an analyst at Shinhan Securities Co.
In contrast, retail investors turned net buyers after selling for the previous three sessions.
All eyes are on possible changes to US tariff policies, as President Donald Trump may announce new unilateral tariffs before Aug. 1, analysts said.
Investors are also awaiting second-quarter corporate earnings, due this week, for clues about the market's direction, they added.
In Seoul, most large-cap stocks declined.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 2.65 percent to 66,000 won, and smaller chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 1.47 percent to 268,500 won.
Top carmaker Hyundai Motor dropped 1.2 percent to 206,500 won, leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai shed 0.8 percent to 136,100 won, and No. 1 steelmaker POSCO Holdings lost 1.22 percent to 323,000 won.
Among gainers, leading battery maker LG Energy Solution rose 0.76 percent to 333,500 won, and LG Chem climbed 0.7 percent to 289,000 won.
Leading wireless services provider SK Telecom gained 1.07 percent to 56,500 won, and state-run utility firm Korea Electric Power Corp. was up 0.27 percent to 37,250 won.
The local currency was quoted at 1,387.80 won against the US dollar at 3:30 p.m., up 0.4 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
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