South Korean shares closed with mild losses on Tuesday, as investors cashed in on a recent rally in Hyundai Motor Co and financial stocks, while a retreat in oil prices from record highs boosted airlines.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed 0.36 percent lower at 771.03 points.
Profit-taking kicked in, targeting recent heavy gainers, including banks and auto-makers.
Hana Bank shed 2.62 percent to 26,000 won and Shinhan Financial Group dropped 3.04 percent to 19,150 won, leading the sub-index of banks down 0.6 percent.
SK Corp shed 3.27 percent at 44,400 won, while S-Oil Corp fell 3.63 percent to 50,500.
Korean Air rose almost 1 percent to 15,600 won and second-ranked Asiana Airlines Inc added 0.91 percent to 2,220. POSCO climbed 1.56 percent to 163,000 won.
Trade volume totalled 302.6 million worth 1.51 trillion won, little changed from 306 million worth 1.5 trillion won in the previous session. Gainers topped losers by 353 to 352.
The over-the-counter Kosdaq edged down 0.18 percent to 345.66 points.
The September KOSPI 200 futures index fell 0.65 point to 98.50 and the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index was also down 0.75 point to 98.97.