South Korean stocks opened mixed on Wednesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street as increasing US Treasury yields and persistent inflation concerns dampened investor sentiment.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 0.7%, or 52.86 points, to open at 7,324.52. The Kosdaq decreased 0.3%, or 3.31 points, to open at 1,081.04.
Overnight, the S&P 500 fell 0.7% for a third consecutive session, the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.8%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.6%.
In addition, fresh tensions rose on the US-Iran conflict front. US President Donald Trump said Washington could launch new strikes on Iran as early as next week if negotiations could not resolve the conflict, warning that further military action may be necessary.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the US threat that any renewed hostilities would bring "many more surprises," adding that Tehran was prepared to shoot down additional US aircraft.