South Korean stocks closed 0.23% lower on Monday as investor sentiment was curbed by a gloomy prospect for Samsung Electronics' second-quarter earnings guidance due the next day, according to South Korea's news agency (Yonhap).
The local currency lost ground against the US dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 4.54 points to 2,005.12. Trading volume was moderate at 224.1 million shares worth 2.98 trillion won (US$2.95 billion), with losers outpacing winners 460 to 358.