Seoul stocks open sharply lower following renewed concerns about Middle East conflict
Published: 27 Mar. 2026, 10:11
![A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the Kospi trading on March 27. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/27/cb90ac36-0bf2-4368-b67a-4c32dc56c6ff.jpg)
A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the Kospi trading on March 27. [YONHAP]
Shares opened sharply lower on Friday on increased risk-off sentiment following renewed concerns over tensions in the Middle East.
After opening 2.93 percent lower, the benchmark Kospi fell 165.49 points, or 3.03 percent, to 5,294.97 in the first 5 minutes of trading.
Overnight, U.S. markets suffered a sharp drop after U.S. President Donald Trump gave mixed signals about where Washington stands in its negotiations with Iran.
On Thursday, Trump warned Iranian negotiators they “better get serious soon before it is too late,” only to later say that the United States and Iran are having very “substantial talks.”
The White House also announced it will extend a pause on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure until April 6.
The S&P 500 fell 1.74 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq retreated 2.38 percent.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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