Seoul: Stocks at record high on tech gains, won edges lower

[SEOUL] Shares in Seoul closed at an all-time high on Tuesday as gains in large tech firms offset market caution about possible North Korean action during joint military drills by South Korea and the United States this week.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) ended up 0.2 per cent at 2,484.37 points, a record closing high.

Market heavyweight Samsung Electronics rose 1.6 per cent.

Offshore investors sold a net 51.7 billion won (S$61.9 million) worth of Kospi shares for the day.

The South Korean won edged down as the greenback's global strength weighed on the currency.

The won was quoted at 1,132.5 to the US dollar at the conclusion of onshore trade, down 0.4 per cent versus Monday's close of 1,127.8.

REUTERS