South Korean stocks started slightly lower on Wednesday amid uncertainties over U.S.-Iran peace talks. The benchmark KOSPI fell 0.17 percent to 6,377.42 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Investor sentiment weakened with a two-week ceasefire nearing its end.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened 0.01 percent lower at 6,387.57, hit an all-time intraday high of 6,399.05 around 9:02 a.m., but soon turned lower to 6,377.42, down 11.05 points or 0.17 percent in the first 15 minutes.
Investor sentiment soured as a two-week ceasefire neared its end, with Iran rejecting a second round of talks and U.S. Vice President JD Vance putting his trip to Pakistan on hold. U.S. stocks closed lower overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite each falling 0.59 percent. After the bell, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would extend the ceasefire until Tehran submits a "unified" proposal.
Major shares showed mixed performance. Chipmaker SK hynix fell 0.98 percent, Hyundai Motor dropped 1.47 percent, LG Energy Solution lost 0.42 percent, and KB Financial Group decreased 2.49 percent. Samsung Electronics rose 0.68 percent, while Hanwha Aerospace added 1.51 percent.
The won traded at 1,476.1 against the dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 7.6 won from the previous session.
