South Korean stocks finished over 1 percent lower Tuesday, following overnight Wall Street losses spurred by US President Donald Trump's renewed tariff threats. The local currency fell against the greenback.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 32.79 points, or 1.28 percent, to close at 2,537.60.
Trade volume was moderate at 370.3 million shares worth 9.47 trillion won ($6.5 billion), with losers outpacing winners 730 to 179.
Foreign and institutional investors together sold a net 597.7 billion won, while retail investors bought a net 491.9 billion won.
Overnight, US stock markets plummeted after Trump shared in an interview with Fox News his intent to push forward with high tariff policies.
The S&P 500 dipped 2.7 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.08 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq plunged 4 percent.
"US officials have signaled that the Trump administration intends to push forward with its tariff policies without any adjustments," Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae Asset & Securities, said while assessing the steep overnight losses on Wall Street.
In Seoul, major shares lost ground.
Market heavyweight Samsung Electronics dropped 0.19 percent to 53,600 won, and leading battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution plummeted 2.43 percent.
Bio and automotive shares also retreated, with Samsung Biologics falling 1.39 percent to 1,068,000 won and Hyundai Motor dropping 0.91 percent to 195,600 won.
Defense equipment and shipyard shares also ended in negative terrain. Hanwha Aerospace slumped 3.42 percent to 678,000 won, and Hanwha Ocean fell 2.26 percent to 78,000 won.
The local currency was trading at 1,458.2 won against the US dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 5.9 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
