Seoul shares open sharply lower on Wall Street losses, renewed Iran tension; won falls

South Korean stocks opened sharply lower Thursday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street caused by uncertainty over negotiations between the United States and Iran to end their war in the Middle East.

After starting 2.02 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 180.03 points, or 2.05 percent, to 8,621.46 as of 9:15 a.m. The Kospi closed at an all-time high of 8,801.49 on Tuesday.

The local stock market was closed Wednesday for the election.

Overnight, US stocks ende