South Korean stocks closed lower Monday due to losses in blue-chip shares amid a lack of events and incentives in the market, analysts said. The local currency gained ground against the U.S. dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 14.55 points, or 0.71 percent, to 2,039.27. Trading volume was moderate at 318 million shares worth 3.5 trillion won (US$3.36 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 494 to 304.