S. Korean stocks tumble over 7 pct amid Middle East conflict

SEOUL, March 3 (Xinhua) -- South Korean stocks tumbled over 7 percent on Tuesday after a bout of panic selling amid ongoing Middle East conflict.

The KOSPI dropped 452.22 points, or 7.24 percent, to close at 5,791.91, and the smaller KOSDAQ dived 55.08 points, or 4.62 percent, to finish at 1,137.70.

The KOSPI opened 1.26 percent lower and widened its earlier losses throughout the session.

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