Seoul stocks ended lower on Thursday, hit by concerns that high energy costs will squeeze corporate profits and depress already weak domestic demand, while the market largely ignored a central bank decision not to cut interest rates.
The Bank of Korea surprised markets by refusing to cut rates from a record low of 3.5 percent, saying it was more concerned about inflationary pressure than signs of weakness in Asia's third-largest economy.
The benchmark Korea Composite Price Index (KOSPI) declined 0.24 percent to end at 885.33.
Among the day's leading decliners, shares in Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the world's third-largest cell phone maker, fell 1.31 percent to end at 488,000 won, hit by concerns about a slowdown in global handset sales growth.
Trade volume reached 344.4 million shares worth 2.39 trillion won ($2.08 billion) compared to 390.5 million shares worth 2.80 trillion won on Wednesday. Losers edged out gainers by 438 to 279 with 84 titles ending flat.
Foreign investors bought a net of 16 billion won in shares on the main bourse, while retail investors sold a net of 38.4 billion won. Institutional investors bought a net of 17.7 billion won.
The December KOSPI 200 futures index shed 0.65 point to 114.60 and the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index lost 0.27 point to 114.17.
The over-the-counter Kosdaq lost 0.49 percent to finish at 370.52.
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