South Korea's KOSPI on Feb. 2 tumbled more than 5 percent, dropping below the 5,000-point mark.
The index closed down 274.69 points, or 5.26 percent, at 4,949.67.
The KOSPI fell below 5,000 after four trading sessions since it first achieved a record close above 5,000, finishing at 5,084.85 on Jan. 27. It opened down 101.74 points, or 1.95 percent, at 5,122.62. It broke below 5,000 shortly after the open and then appeared to narrow its losses. After 10 a.m., it fell sharply and at one point slid to 4,933.58.
The selloff in the KOSPI also triggered a sell-side sidecar for the first time this year at 12:31 p.m., halting the effectiveness of sell orders in program trading.
The Kosdaq index also closed down 51.80 points, or 4.44 percent, at 1,098.36.
[Yonhap]
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