Seoul shares had their biggest fall in two weeks on Wednesday as surging oil prices hit transport firms, while exporters such as Hyundai Motor fell after weaker US consumer confidence raised worries about a key market.
It was the KOSPI's biggest fall since dropping 2 percent on March 14, during the second leg of a global market correction, signalling investors still remain concerned about further volatility ahead.
But Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) gained on market speculation Singapore's DBS was seeking to take over the lender, while oil refiner S-Oil Corp surged after announcing its largest-ever dividend. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 0.93 percent to end at 1,439.74 points,
The index had ended on Tuesday at its highest close in a month, having regained most of its losses from the global slump late last month, but analysts were sceptical about how much further the index could gain.
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd fell 1.38 percent to 572,000 won, while Hyundai Motor Co lost 1.36 percent to 65,400 won. Transportation stocks slumped, with carrier Korean Air Co ending down 1.99 percent at 36,900 won, and shipping firm Hyundai Merchant Marine sliding 4.12 percent to 20,950 won.