South Korean shares closed nearly 2% lower on Thursday, after overnight losses on Wall Street and fresh Middle East tensions following the U.S. launching new military attacks on Iran's Qeshm Islands.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 162.08 points, or 1.8%, to end at 8,639.41. The Kosdaq increased by 23.7 points, or 2.3%, to close at 1,049.73.
In economic news, South Korea's official foreign reserve assets stood at $427.0 billion at the end of May, compared with $427.9 billion in the previous month, according to Bank of Korea data published Thursday.
The amount consists of $380.7 billion in securities, $21.4 billion in deposits, $4.4 billion in International Monetary Fund reserve position, $15.8 billion in special drawing rights, and $4.8 billion in gold.
In corporate news, medical equipment manufacturer Plasmapp (KOSDAQ:405000) secured a supply contract for U510 and STERI700 sterilizers from Qmed Master Distribution, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.
The contract, valued at 3.53 billion won, is valid till June 1, 2027.
Shares of Plasmapp fell nearly 4% at market close.