The Korea Exchange activated a circuit breaker for the KOSPI on Monday after the benchmark index plunged more than 8 percent amid tensions in the Middle East.
The Korea Exchange triggered the marketwide circuit breaker at around 1:28 p.m. on Monday after the KOSPI plunged more than 8 percent from the previous session's close. Trading of KOSPI-listed shares was halted for 20 minutes.
The move came as investors remained cautious following fresh strikes between the United States and Iran over the status of the Strait of Hormuz. It marked the seventh time this year that the KRX has activated a circuit breaker.
The benchmark index came under heavy selling pressure due to the renewed Middle East tensions.
