Seoul shares plummeted 5.4 percent on July 8 as technology stocks extended losses amid investor concerns over the Artificial Intelligence trade.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index opened 2.7 percent lower and closed down 409.52 points at 7,246.79. Trade volume reached 495.75 million shares worth 41.65 trillion won.
Samsung Electronics fell 6.25 percent to 277,500 won, while SK Hynix declined 5.68 percent to 2,076,000 won. Hyundai Motor dropped 3.55 percent and Hanwha Aerospace shed 7.22 percent.
The Korea Exchange activated a sell-side sidecar for the KOSPI at 1:31 p.m., halting program trading for five minutes. The Korean won rose 29.7 won to 1,498.5 won per U.S. dollar.
