Seoul: Won, stocks close lower on renewed appetite for safety

[SEOUL] The South Korean won and shares ended lower on Monday as global oil price slump and a series of earthquakes aroused investors' appetite for safety.

The local currency was quoted at 1,150.2 to the US dollar at the conclusion of onshore trade, down 0.4 per cent compared to Friday's close of 1,146.2.

South Korean shares pared some earlier losses, as foriegners continued their buying throughout the day.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed down 0.3 per cent at 2,009.10 points.

Offshore investors racked up a fourth buying session, purchasing a net 199.9 billion won (S$236.3 million) worth of KOSPI.

REUTERS