South Korean stocks closed 0.54 percent lower Tuesday as investors' risk aversion increased amid tension between Ukraine and Russia, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 10.58 points to 1,954.11. Trading volume was moderate at 197.6 million shares worth 3.04 trillion won (US$2.83 billion) with losers outpacing gainers 425 to 380.